Spirit Realm

Chapters 131-140

Chapter 131: Lucky Fellows

Qin Lie changed into a new set of clothes and returned to his forging station. The new fire crystals had already been supplied by the time he returned.

Silently, he retook his spot with his expression indifferent as he continued a new round of artifact forging. It seemed as if the small twists and turns which had occurred just now had not the slightest effect on him.

Many outer Armament Sect disciples all coldly glared at him, their expressions displeased.

Tong Jihua's expression was also strange. His gaze had moved away from Liang Shaoyang's as he began to focus on observing Qin Lie. As he watched, he became momentarily stunned. Afterwards, he subconsciously began walking towards Qin Lie.

His eyes were glued onto the metal ball which was within the furnace in front of Qin Lie. He watched as Qin Lie punched holes into the metal ball and then injected both water and fire.

Tong Jihua had silently moved over. He had finally became interested in Qin Lie and was now carefully observing Qin Lie's every move.

He discovered that every time Qin Lie added spirit materials, the way he controlled the flames to polish the metal orb was very skillful. Furthermore, every time Qin Lie grabbed spirit materials, the way be moved was seemingly pleasant to look at, as if he had repeatedly done these actions hundreds if not thousands of times...

These discoveries caused Tong Jihua's eyes to gradually light up.

Lian Rou's figure quietly appeared. She pursed her lips and gently chuckled as she walked next toTong Jihua and gently greeted him, "Hello Uncle Tong."

Tong Jihua retracted his gaze from Qin Lie as he nodded with a smile and asked, "Have you seen Siqi, that girl?"

Lian Rou's eyes curved into crescent moons as she laughed, asking a question in response, "What exactly happened just now? Which heroic youth was it that actually caused Siqi to take a loss?"

"Yes? Ah, this one," replied Tong Jihua, pointing at Qin Lie.

Lian Rou's expression changed as she too moved slightly closer to Qin Lie' and began watching him along with with Tong Jihua. Immediately, her eyes lit up somewhat as she gently commented, "This guy's pretty good, huh..."

"Mn." Tong Jihua and Lian Rou were only ten or so meters away from Qin Lie. Lowering his voice, he explained, "Earlier, I wasn't paying attention to him. Only now that I've observed him have I discovered that this kid's techniques are rather experienced. He's definitely had a fair share of experience in forging artifacts. If I haven't seen wrongly, he is much better at decomposing spirit materials and controlling the flames of the furnace than many of the people here."

Lian Rou became increasingly attentive. She inwardly observed Qin Lie's every action, watching as Qin Lie meticulously polished his metal ball and didn't let a single rough point through and watching his expression which was so focused that it seemed like he had forgotten himself...

"If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have agreed to Siqi's request," muttered Lian Rou as she reluctantly shook her head. "She wants me to book number two hundred and thirty for her. If this person is utilized properly, he will definitely become a great helper who will save us a lot of work. Siqi must have immediately noticed and purposely troubled him!"

"Her vision is indeed strangely accurate," said Tong Jihua, nodding.

"Are there any other good seeds this time?" quietly asked Lian Rou.

"Those three in the front are also not bad," mentioned Tong Jihua as he pointed at Liang Shaoyang, Ouyang Jingjing, and Yi Yuan.

Right when he pointed at Yi Yuan, even though he originally had his back towards them, he unexpectedly turned around. Yi Yuan resplendently smiled at Lian Rou, exposing his pure white teeth as he said, "Little Sister Lian Rou, didn't I say that we would definitely meet again?"

"Yi Yuan!" Lian Rou couldn't restrain her shock as she shouted, her pretty face full of surprise, "Y-you, how come you are here?"

The events of five years ago suddenly reemerged within her mind...

Five years ago, Lian Rou had gone to Purple Mist Sea with one of Armament Sect's elders. At Purple Mist Sea, she met Yi Yuan, their guide for the a period of time who had guided them around Purple Mist Sea's various eccentric locations of as they picked a great number of rare spirit plants and spirit herbs which were unique to the area.

It was during this time that Yi Yuan quietly found an opportunity to confess his love for her.

At the time, she, who had never been confessed to by a stranger before was stunned and immediately rejected him. Afterwards, she felt a sense of dread and had constantly avoided Yi Yuan all the way till when she was about to depart which was when she encountered him again.

At that time, Yi Yuan had watched as she left Purple Mist Sea. The only words he had left her were, "We will meet again."

Five years later, right when Lian Rou was about to forget Yi Yuan, Yi Yuan had suddenly appeared once again as an examinee who was trying to enter Armament Sect.

-For her.

"You two know each other?" curiously asked Tong Jihua.

Lian Rou's expression was very unnatural as she nodded her head, strenuously saying, "We met before at Purple Mist Sea."

"I hope Miss Lian Rou will choose me. I am most willing to become Miss Lian Rou's assistant and will be willing to do any task for her." In front of more than a hundred people, Yi Yuan brilliantly smiled. His expression was sincere as he bowed and made his request. Boldly, he expressed his love, not seeming to mind all of the surprised gazes of the crowd.

"Fool! Madman!" lowly swore Lian Rou as she hurriedly left as if she were fleeing.

Tong Jihua was stunned. He stared at the boldly shouting Yi Yuan. After a good half a while, he recovered his senses, muttering to himself, "This time is indeed truly interesting."

Qin Lie who had been focused on forging artifacts also temporarily stopped his movements for a moment, raising his head to look at Yi Yuan, who was in front of him while professing his love as if there was no one else around. Watching as Yi Yuan's two sentences shocked Lian Rou away, he was similarly shocked as he inwardly thought, "This fellow normally just smiles when he see people, but it seems that a person as kind as him still has their own crazy side?"

"Brother Qin Bing, Miss Lian Rou is someone who I had already claimed five years ago, you must not fight with me over her," said Yi Yuan, looking at Qin Lie. With a brilliant smile, he saluted Qin Lie from a distance, continuing, "Miss Tang Siqi is much more beautiful than her, but her temper is also too vicious. I hope Brother Qin will narrow his focus a bit more and show magnanimity towards my Lian Rou..."

After his remark, the crowd went into an uproar. As for Armament Sect's outer sect disciples, they had all already begun loudly swearing.

"F*ck, at first this fellow from Purple Mist Sea didn't seem like anything special, but how come he became so crazy as soon as he saw Lian Rou? What kind of place does he think Armament Sect is? Did he come here just to find a wife?"

"Does he know just how precious Senior Sister Tang and Senior Sister Lian Rou are? He actually dares to talk with that bastard who burned Senior Sister Tang about splitting our two senior sisters in front of everyone within this large courtyard? This daddy here has already stayed at Armament Sect for three years and still doesn't dare to speak rudely towards the two of them. Just what kind of place have these bastards jumped out from?"

"This daddy has also stayed for a long time. It's best to not let these two in, otherwise I might not let go of them till they are dead!"

All of the Armament Sect disciples began to shout curses, each one filled with justice driven resentment. It was as if Yi Yuan and Qin Lie were snatching away the treasures that they considered their own.

Liang Shaoyang's gaze also changed as he too raised his head and looked over at Yi Yuan.

"Madman!" cursed Ouyang Jingjing.

Yi Yuan loudly laughed. From when Lian Rou had appeared, he had seemingly suddenly become a different person, as if he were high shot up on drugs.

Yi Yuan didn't pay any attention whatsoever to the curses and ridicule as he only looked at Qin Lie and continued, "Since Brother Qin isn't saying anything, I'll take it as if you have agreed. I'll thank you first." He cupped his hands and then once again focused on the furnace in front of him. His entire person was in high spirits as if he had suddenly become filled with energy and confidence for the future.

"So he's also a madman," muttered Qin Lie to himself. He lowered his head back down.

Lian Rou flusteredly returned to the small house where Tang Siqi was applying medicine on herself. Her pretty face was a bright red, as if she were drunk.

"Madman, I've met a madman!" she shouted as soon as she entered. Stomping her feet, she continued, "It's already been five years, but that bastard is still lingering around me like a phantom. He actually chased me all the way to Armament Sect!"

"Who?" curiously asked Tang Siqi.

"The person I told you about before, the guy from Purple Mist Sea It's been five years, and he, he actually came over this time! Dammit! Just now within the great courtyard, he, in front of everyone, requested that I choose him as my assistant!" Distress was written all over Lian Rou's face as she said, "I, I ran away..."

"Hahaha, ahahaha!" Tang Siqi clutched her stomach as she began to loudly laugh, "You're unexpectedly so useless! If it were me, I would have smashed that guy's face into bits!" She powerfully waved her fist and repetitively made punching motions, her gorgeous face showing a cute, fierce expression.

"Then how come you weren't able to smash in number two hundred and thirty's face? How come you are hiding here?" angrily retorted an embarrassed Lian Rou.

"I- I..." Tang Siqi's face became entirely flushed red. Breathing rapidly, she frustratedly exclaimed, "That bastard burned my clothes. I was almost fully exposed, so I could only retreat. Rest assured that once he falls into my hands, he'll get what he deserves!" After speaking to this point, Tang Siqi expression changed as she loudly clamored, "How can we two sisters just accept being bullied by men? I definitely won't let go of that number two hundred and thirty. Why don't you choose that bastard who dared to spout so much nonsense as well and color him pretty?"

"Then let's do that!" agreed Lian Rou, clenching her fist. She firmly exclaimed, "I'm going to get him back too!"

......

"Time's almost up. Whether or not you have the qualification to remain is now becoming more apparent," said Tong Jihua as he walked up to the front after calculating the time.

Starting with Liang Shaoyang, Tong Jihua would grasp each examinee's forged artifact and sense the cohesion of its insides. Afterwards, he decide whether or not he would record down the examinee's number.

Each person whose number was recorded had successfully passed the examination. If Tong Jihua shook his head, it meant that the examinee had been eliminated.

As Tong Jihua touched each artifact, people were constantly eliminated and their hopes were incessantly destroyed. The number of people within the courtyard, which originally numbered over a hundred, gradually declined.

Liang Shaoyang, Ouyang Jingjing, and Yi Yuan, who were all in the front, all had very relaxed expressions as Tong Jihua moved past them.

-They had all seen Tong Jihua record down their numbers.

Before long, Tong Jihua arrived beside Qin Lie. After touching the smooth surface of the metal ball for a moment, his eyes lit up and he profoundly gazed at Qin Lie for a second before also recording down Qin Lie's corresponding number-two hundred and thirty.

Tong Jihua continued onwards.

Time flew by, and a full hour later, only twenty six people remained standing within the courtyard.

Those examinees whose numbers hadn't been recorded all self-consciously left. They didn't have the face to remain behind and wait for Tong Jihua to announce the final results, so they had all long since left the courtyard.

"Twenty six people passed the exam. Tomorrow, inner sect disciples will come and pick assistants from amongst you. If any of you are fortuitously selected, you will have the opportunity to experience true artifact forging." Tong Jihua's expression was stern as he continued, "Becoming an inner sect disciple's assistant and helping them break down and grind their spirit materials, as well as aiding them while forging artifacts, will be a great help to your own growth. I hope you will all have this luck..."

"Elder Tong, Miss Lian Rou has sent over a note." At this time, an outer sect disciple handed over a little slip of paper.

As Tong Jihua read it, his expression suddenly became abnormal as he began to laugh. Afterwards, he said, "There are already lucky fellows. Number nineteen, Yi Yuan! And number two hundred thirty, Qin Bing! Congratulations on being the first two to be selected. After taking a good look at you two, heh, I trust that your lives in the future will certainly be luxurious ones."

Only at this time did Qin Lie finally understand the purpose behind Tang Siqi's wanderings beside him. Upon hearing that he had been selected beforehand, not only did he not feel the slightest bit of happiness, he also felt a bad feeling blossom inside him, "Uh oh..."

Meanwhile, Yi Yuan was indeed elated as a smile overflowing with joy emerged on his face. He seemed to be unaware about what was coming.

Chapter 132: Wind Agent

"Number two hundred and thirty, Qin Bing, number ninety seven, Yi Yuan. The two of you can go ahead and leave, you no longer need to stay here." Tong Jihua's smile was a little sinister. "In three days, bring your clothing and daily necessities to Armament Sect. You will be staying in Armament Sect's outer sect from now on."

He then looked towards the rest of the people and said, "The rest of you will stay behind. You all have to wait for the inner sect apprentice selection tomorrow. Once the results are out, then you will also be given three days to prepare."

Once he finished, Qin Lie walked outside without another word.

"Wait for me, Brother Qin." Yi Yan smiled and chased after Qin Lie before passing through the courtyard with Qin Lie, shoulder-to-shoulder. And like that, they exited the Armament Sect.

"Brother Qin is truly amazing. Even a difficult woman such as Tang Siqi was completely tamed by you. Hehe, she even jumped into Brother Qin's arms on her own and held you tight..." Yi Yan cupped his hands. "I am impressed. I am truly impressed by Brother Qin's methods. Compared to you, that tactic of mine was completely skilless. All I had relied upon was just a thick skin. May Brother Qin watch over me in the future and teach me some awesome techniques."

Qin Lie's face shuddered as he turned his head to look at Yi Yan, coldly saying, "Do you think I'm the same as you, that I've come here for a woman?That to attract that Tang Siqi's expression, I purposefully burned her clothes with the sparks?"

"Was I wrong?" Yi Yan countered, "Tang Siqi is Armament Sect's most beautiful pearl. Her beauty is famed throughout Dark Asura Hall, Seven Fiends Valley, Dark Shadow Tower, Purple Mist Sea, Cloud Sky Mountain, and other forces. She is the dream woman of countless men. Every year, there would be young men from these forces who would come to Armament Sect just for her, hoping to be chosen as her assistant. Countless men had wrung their brains for this, but she hadn't ever selected a single person from the outer sect over the past few years. Brother Qin's method this time is unique though. You immediately attracted her attention and was chosen by her in advance. I wonder how many people are so envious of you that they could die..."

Yi Yan bobbed his head about. "Brother Qin must have spent quite a bit of effort. This method is practically unprecedented. I am truly impressed!"

-He was absolutely sure that Qin Lie had come for Tang Siqi.

Qin Lie was speechless. He did not expect Tang Siqi's fame to be this terrific, to be able to attract countless young men to Armament Sect just for her alone. Judging from the meaning behind Yi Yan's words, all the young heroes of Dark Asura Hall, Seven Fiends Valley, Dark Shadow Tower and other forces had even 'wrung their brains' to curry her favor?

"Tang Siqi..." He couldn't help but recall that woman who had hugged him tightly and the feeling of her hot body pressing closely against his. Then, he nodded. "She does have the charm alright."

"Sigh, I am far lousier in this aspect." Yi Yan shook his head and sighed. "I was sure that I would succeed this trip. It's been five years. For the past five years, the only thing that filled my mind was her figure..."

"You really came for that Lian Rou?" Qin Lie frowned. He did not see anything special about that woman. Her appearance was very average and very normal-how could she have made Yi Yan this crazy?

"Of course." The moment Lian Rou was brought up, Yi Yan immediately was in high spirits. "I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on her for the first time five years ago. I will never let her slip through my grasp for as long as I live!"

Qin Lie couldn't really understand Yi Yan's obsession towards her and shook his head. He carelessly asked, "Do you know any big incidents that have happened nearby as of late?"

"What do you want to know exactly?" Yi Yan asked curiously.

"Anything that's happening among the huge forces."

"Then you should take a trip to the 'Wind Lane' in the Wind District of the Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind Districts of Armament City. You can just find a few Wind Agents randomly and you'll find the news from all parties." Yi Yan explained, "This is what they do for a living. Hehe, the things we did at Armament Sect today should be known over there already."

"Wind Agents?" Qin Lie looked surprised.

"Yeah. They're a bunch of people who sell information for a living. They have a great number of sources, so you can buy all sorts of information from them."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Do watch over me in the future, Brother Qin."

"Oh."

......

Two hours later, Qin Lie appeared at Wind Lane in Armament Sect's Wind area.

The Wind Lane was the small lane where the Wind Agents gathered together. Every Wind Agent working inside the city would be moving about this lane, selling all kinds of information.

Qin Lie entered a house at random and took out a Profound Grade One Spirit Stone. He said, "I want to ask about something."

A thin and emaciated young boy walked over. He looked about fourteen to fifteen years old and his skin was dark, but his eyes were very intelligent. "Call me Wind God. Go ahead and ask whatever you need."

"Wind God?" Qin Lie's eyebrows jumped as the air around his body turned cold.

The boy's legs shuddered somewhat as he quickly backpedaled a bit from Qin Lie. The slovenly look on his face was gone as he seriously said, "Those who stand at the top of the Wind Agents are given the title of 'Wind God,' and I am a man who aims to become a Wind God! A-although I'm not one yet, I will definitely become a Wind God in the future!" he exclaimed with conviction.

Qin Lie's expression was indifferent as he nodded. He said, "Wind God? Alright, I'd like to hear any news related to Nebula Pavilion. What can you tell me?"

"How long ago?" The boy's face turned serious, as if he had become a changed man the moment the matter of work was brought up.

"News from four months ago."

"A Profound Grade One spirit stone is too much..."

"Tell me first."

"Right."

The youth sucked in a deep breath and began to narrate in a serious manner with great detail, "Nebula Pavilion is the vassal force under Dark Asura Hall. They are stationed along with Shattered Ice Manor at Icestone City. The place is very close to the Arctic Mountain Range and its former Pavilion Master is called Tu Mo..."

"Get to the point!" Qin Lie yelled coldly, "I want to know the big incidents!"

"Big incidents, is it? Okay!" The youngster paused and thought for a moment, "Four months ago, the biggest incident that has happened was the position of Pavilion Master being handed over. Dark Asura Hall's First Hall Master, Yuan Tianya, had unexpected arrived at Nebula Pavilion. Liu Yuntao had replaced Tu Mo as the Pavilion Master, and the elder Du Haitian had gloriously ascended as the Vice Pavilion Master...

"A relatively unknown young man at Nebula Pavilion named Qin Lie challenged Du Haitian on the streets and killed Du Haitian, Du Jiaolan, Du Fei, Du Heng, Fang Tong, Pei An, and twenty more Nebula Pavilion martial practitioners. Severely injured, Qin Lie had escaped to a spirit material shop called Li's Shop, and the First Hall Master, Yuan Tianya, had brought Liu Yuntao and many other powerful men to surround the place in attempt to kill Qin Lie...

"A strange man named Li Mu appeared out of nowhere, killed Dark Asura Hall's commander with an invincible posture and brought Qin Lie and a huge wolfdog, rumored to be the Icestone Snow Wolf King, out of the city. No one dared to stop them. After they left the city, they haven't been seen since.

"This was a rather hot news recently, and every force knows about this. After the First Hall Master Yuan Tianya had returned to Dark Asura Hall he had been looking out for any information regarding Li Mu, but to this day no one can confirm this man's identity.

"This is the biggest incident that has occurred in the past four months. Almost everyone knows about it, so it isn't worth a Profound Grade One spirit stone."

Incredibly, the young boy's story was completely correct. It was as if he had personally been there and had clearly seen each critical event.

"Naturally this isn't what I'm asking about." Qin Lie nodded on the inside. "What I want to ask is where Tu Mo and his people have gone to, how is Nebula Pavilion doing currently, whether the Ling Family are still at Nebula Pavilion, and Ye Yangqiu, Han Qingrui, and Kang Hui's movements..."

"So that's the information you're looking for."

The young boy exclaimed in realization before continuing, "Tu Mo and his younger brother, Tu Ze, are now at Dark Asura Hall working under the Second Hall Master. They are given great regard by Second Hall Master Cao Xuanrui. The rest of the Ling Family have gone to Seven Fiends Valley's Dark Fiend Valley as the Ling sisters' servants and live as a small force around Dark Fiend Valley.

"Ye Yangqiu is still working at Nebula Pavilion. He is a man of justice since the beginning, and Liu Yuntao also believes that he is still helpful in managing Nebula Pavilion's Discipline Hall which is why he continues to use him. However, the other two men, Han Qingrui and Kang Hui, stood against Liu Yuntao in the past, so both of them left Nebula Pavilion, and under Armament Sect's Pan Jueming's recommendation, they are temporarily staying in Seven Fiends Valley's domain as Armament Sect's outer sect foreign delegate. They may come to Armament Sect in the future for work..."

"The Ling sisters of Dark Fiend Valley. Do you have information on these two?" Qin Lie's eyes abruptly lit up.

The young boy was shocked. He felt that the sharp aura on Qin Lie had abruptly increased. He subconsciously took a few steps backwards again and answered in a hurry, "I do, I do! The younger one is still at Dark Fiend Valley and is cultivating her spirit arts under Granny Jiu's guidance, and as for the elder one... she slipped out of the valley and went missing. Because of this, Granny Jiu was furious, and she sent people to look people for her everywhere."

Ling Yushi slipped out of Dark Fiend Valley? Where did she go?

Qin Lie was shocked on the inside, and after a moment of thought, he suddenly had an idea and guessed that Ling Yushi might have gone to look for him...

Tu Ze and Zhuo Qian had gone to Dark Asura Hall. The Ling Family clansmen had moved into Seven Fiends Valley. Ye Yangqiu was still holding a position at Nebula Pavilion, so naturally, Gao Yu was there as well. Han Qingrui had become Armament Sect's outer sect delegate. Kang Zhi and Han Feng had likely left Nebula Pavilion as well, and since Granny Jiu was famed as a master who protects her own, even if Ling Yushi had left Dark Fiend Valley, there shouldn't be anyone who would dare do anything to her.

-Especially when Ling Family's true nemesis, Du Haitian's entire family, had been killed by him.

Liu Yuntao and Wei Xing did not hold any grudge against the Ling Family. They would definitely not be stupid enough to become Ling Yushi's enemy and provoke Granny Jiu's insane retaliation.

So judging from this matter, if Ling Yushi could not find him, then naturally, she would obediently return to Dark Fiend Valley and continue her cultivation.

After finding out all he wanted to know, Qin Lie slowly relaxed. Finally, he could stay at Armament Sect in peace. "Wind God, is it? Hmm, I am very satisfied with the information you brought me. This Profound Grade One spirit stone is a bonus. I hope that you can pay attention to anything regarding the Dark Fiend Valley's Ling sisters for me when you're free. I'll come look for you in the future."

"Thank you very much." The young boy accepted the two Profound Grade One spirit stones and bowed with the utmost gratitude. "Don't worry, I will pay extra attention to any information regarding those two sisters! Hehe, I knew at first glance that you are a character of extraordinary taste and that you enjoy twins... I get you. I totally get you!"

-He had assumed Qin Lie as a character who had a special fetish for twins.

Qin Lie nodded and did not explain further. Just as he was about to leave, an idea struck his mind as he asked, "Have you ever heard of the name Qin Shan?"

"Qin Shan?" The young boy shook his head. "No, I've never heard of him."

"Oh. In that case, please watch out for this as well. If there is someone who is called Qin Shan, and he is also an artificer, then do everything in your power to gather all the information on him that you can. I can pay more for it." Qin Lie also knew that it was a slim hope, but he still seriously instructed him. "I hope Wind God will watch out for this."

"Got it." The young boy slapped his chest in assurance.

Chapter 133: The Twelve Spirit Pattern Pillars

On the deep ice land at the bottom of the Arctic Mountain Range.

The ice peaks stood, and the ice glaciers never melted. A cruel, cold energy covered this place and caused it to be frozen without life.

Qin Lie was sitting on the top of a small glacier like a statue made from ice as he studied the frost picture scroll inside the Soul Suppressing Orb with his eyes closed. He was feeling the cold essence in the picture scroll and silently understanding the changes inside his dantian's spirit sea.

In the early stages of the Natal Opening Realm, the spirit sea would form three Natal Palaces. Only when the three Natal Palaces were all filled with power would one have the qualifications to create new Natal Palaces and step into the middle stage of the Natal Opening Realm.

At present, he had not comprehended the core of the frost concept, but whenever he studied the frost picture scroll inside the Soul Suppressing Orb, the two Natal Palaces inside him would absorb the icy energies of this icy land which would condense into cold spirit energy and gather in his Natal Palaces.

Of the three Natal Palaces, one was filled with furious lightning and thunder while the other two were extremely cold, filled with a special cold energy.

"For the middle stage of the Natal Opening Realm, I will need to create three more Natal Palaces..."

An unknown amount of time later, Qin Lie opened his eyes. His gaze was bone-chillingly cold as he quietly murmured with a creased brow, "If I can't comprehend the essence of the frost picture scroll, I can't grasp the method of channeling frost power. Consequently, I can't use the power of the two frost Natal Palaces. This might possibly... become a chain on me. If I cannot break this restraint, I will be unable to create new Natal Palaces and break through to the middle stage."

What entered his eyes were the cruel and cold glaciers. Within them were ancient spirit beasts that were frozen inside.

"Are these spirit beasts... dead or d=alive?" A thought suddenly rose in Qin Lie's mind. He looked at the shadows of the enormous spirit beasts inside the glaciers and couldn't help but feel coldness. "If the ice here melted, I wonder if these ancient spirit beasts, which have been frozen for so many years, would open their eyes?"

When he thought of this, Qin Lie's expression became grave. Then, as he looked at the colossal spirit beasts inside the glaciers, he felt a sliver of uncertainty.

Within the scope of his knowledge, these enormous spirit beasts that were like little mountains must possess immeasurable power.

"Rank Five? Rank Six? Or Rank Seven?

He didn't dare to imagine it, nor did he dare to imagine which force on this continent could stand up against these spirit beasts if they woke up. Who would face the onslaught of these terrifying spirit beasts?

"They should be dead..."

After reassuring himself, he estimated the time. He took out the Eye of Frost and activated the crux.

The cold energy wrapped around him as though it was intelligent. With a strong wave of dizziness, his figure slowly disappeared.

Ten seconds later, he appeared inside a little yard in Armament City. Then, he put away the Eye of Frost and took his spirit tablets, spirit stones, and clothing with him as he walked to Armament Sect's outer sect.

This was the third day and also the day he was to go to Armament Sect to report in.

"Sir, who are you?" questioned two guards in front of the sect gates of Armament Sect.

"Qin Bing, reporting in," responded Qin Lie as he stood at the gates of Armament Sect.

"What is your number?"

"Two hundred and thirty."

"Two hundred and thirty?" A guard froze and then suddenly chuckled. He nodded and said, "Go in, someone will take you to your residence."

Qin Lie nodded aloofly.

A while later, an outer sect disciple of Armament Sect lead Qin Lie past beautiful buildings to Flame Volcano's base.

Rows of stone towers made from limestone stood at the base of Flame Volcano. In addition, there was a large lake in the center of the crowd of towers. The lake water was clear enough that the bottom could be seen with many fish swimming around.

There was a circular plaza beside the lake that was paved in limestone, and twelve stone pillars stood above that very plaza. There were many exquisite patterns and diagrams of flora and fauna carved on the pillars which appeared extremely beautiful and seemed to hold a special meaning.

Many outer sect disciples of Armament Sect were scattered around the pillars on the plaza as they focused on the diagrams on the stone pillars. They seemed to be concentrating on inscribing something with the spirit tablets on their hands...

After Qin Lie came over, he also looked at the inscriptions on the stone pillars. His eyes lit up and he thought, "Are these also spirit diagrams?"

"What are you looking at?" The outer sect disciple leading Qin Lie had a clear expression of disdain as he mocked, "Can you even understand the diagrams inscribed on the spirit pattern pillars on the plaza?"

This person then had an expression of reverence on his face. "These spirit patterns were personally carved by Armament Sect's first sect leader and contain great profoundness. Only those with true intelligence can comprehend the profound meaning from the inscriptions of flora and fauna."

"Supposedly, the spirit patterns on the spirit pattern pillars were ones that the sect founder had copied from other places. He imprinted them onto the spirit pattern pillars for himself and the disciples of the sect to understand, so they could feel the wonders of the diagrams on the spirit pattern pillars..."

"Armament Sect was founded nine hundred years ago. Generations have passed, and we have taken in new disciples annually. After all these years, there have been more than thirty thousand people that have come here to experience the wonders of the spirit pattern pillar's diagrams. Some people stayed for decades by these pillars... but there has only been twenty-seven people that have gained from the spirit pattern pillars in these nine hundred years!"

"All twenty-seven of these people were outstanding artificers in Armament Sect's history and are the pride of Armament Sect. They are the true foundation of Armament Sect on this land!" This person's expression was grave. "At present, every spirit diagram of Armament Sect is the product of the genius of these twenty-seven people, formed through slowly comprehending the diagrams on the spirit pattern pillars."

"These twelve spirit pattern pillars are Armament Sect's foundation. All the spirit diagrams of Armament Sect come from them. The strength of Armament Sect also originates from these," he said lowly.

Listening to the other's explanation, Qin Lie's expression shifted, and he looked even more attentively at the twelve spirit pattern pillars.

The twelve spirit pattern pillars were positioned at various parts of the plaza. Their location seemed to contain a hidden meaning. Qin Lie looked closely and his eyes suddenly lit up.

In the past in Herb Mountain at Ling Town, his grandpa, Qin Shan, had once set up eight stone pillars. The stone pillars reached the ceiling of the cavern and guided the weakened lightning power to help him cultivate Heavenly Thunder Eradication.

The setup of the eight stone pillars inside Herb Mountain's cavern was an octagon and not exactly the same as the position of these twelve spirit pattern pillars. But he looked closer at the twelve spirit pattern pillars on this plaza and found that the position of the central eight pillars also seemed to be a faintly discernible octagon.

"Is there any special meaning?" He was slightly curious and noted it down before he looked at the diagrams on the spirit pattern pillars.

The twelve spirit pattern pillars were all more than ten meters tall. They were also extremely thick and would need five people linking hands to surround it.

Different diagrams and lines were inscribed onto each spirit pattern pillar to form all kinds of strange spirit beasts, mountains and rivers, flowers, and beasts in flight. The irregular diagrams did not contain any meaningful lines and even had pictures of demons and evil spirits... it included thousands of things.

Qin Lie gazed for a while and found the diagrams did not have any connection to normal spirit diagrams, but they seemed to hold the same meaning as the frost picture scroll inside his Soul Suppressing Orb.

"In the last thirty years, only two people have comprehended the wonders of the spirit pattern pillars and gained new understandings from three of the twelve spirit pattern pillars." This person looked coldly at Qin Lie. "One of them is Elder Mo Hai. Twenty years ago, he sat under the spirit pattern pillars for three whole years. He comprehended a new diagram from one of the spirit pattern pillars... right now, Mo Hai is the First Elder in the inner sect! The second is Senior Sister Tang Siqi. Four years ago, she miraculously entered the world inside the spirit pattern pillar when she was looking at the diagrams. She also entered the inner world inside two different spirit pattern pillars one after another..."

This person's expression became even colder. "We do not know what Senior Sister Tang gained from that. Only Sect Leader and Elder Mo Hai knows what Senior Sister Tang gained. We only know that after that, Senior Sister Tang became the most talented disciple in Armament Sect. She can use all the rare spirit materials in the sect as she wishes. Sect Leader and Mo Hai teaches her personally and uses the power of the entire sect to nurture her."

"She is the greatest treasure of Armament Sect and we definitely do not allow those with ambitious and ruthless hearts to disrupt the calm of her inner heart!"

Qin Lie's brow creased as he snorted with a cold face, but did not say anything.

The person lead Qin Lie to a stone tower near the plaza and gave him his identity card. Then he said, "In the future, you will be here. Your contribution points depend on how much you contribute to Armament Sect. The sect will have elders lecturing about artifact forging at regular intervals. If you want to listen to the class, you must pay contribution points. You can also use contribution points to pay for the books on forging and spirit materials in the outer sect..."

He introduced the rules of Armament Sect's outer sect. Qin Lie listened indifferently. He found that it was almost the exact same as Nebula Pavilion's and there was no novelty.

"How do I obtain contribution points?" Before this person left, Qin Lie asked his only question.

"Work to accumulate contribution points." This person's expression was impatient. "Cutting spirit materials, smelting simple artifacts, preparing spirit herbs, spirit stones, and other things to gain contribution points. You do not need to worry, Senior Sister Tang will plan missions for you. Each mission will have a corresponding number of contribution points. As long as you can complete them in the time allotted and reach the amount required..." He left with a strange laugh.

Qin Lie circled around inside the stone tower. He found that the tower had two floors. The upper level was a resting room and had a wash room and bedroom. There was also a very small cultivation room.

The lower level had a storage room and a forging workshop. Inside the workshop, there were some simple tools. In addition, there was a small guest room.

Just as he was examining the stone tower, he smelled a strong stench from the stone tower next to his. Yi Yuan's sighs occasionally could be heard. "This vicious woman actually is making me do this kind of thing. How much do you hate me?"

Qin Lie was shocked. He put his clothing down and went next door. Then, he saw Yi Yuan was squeezing the bile from a spirit beast's gall bladder in the little workshop. The stench was coming from that black bile...

There were many spirit beast gall bladders next to Yi Yuan. The stench inside the little workshop was extremely powerful. When Qin Lie neared, he felt his guts wanting to heave.

Seeing him appear, Yi Yuan squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying. "This is the mission that Lian Rou has arranged for me. It is going to be terrible. I don't know how long I will stink for. Brother Qin, did you just arrive? Ha, Tang Siqi will definitely not rest. I think your missions definitely won't be more comfortable than mine..." Yi Yuan's eyes were full of schadenfreude as though he wanted Qin Lie to immediately suffer together will him.

Chapter 134: Hard Labor

"Come, over here. Carry everything over!" Tang Siqi called out.

She wore a rosy-red, tight-skinned, long skirt, and it perfectly outlined the wondrous curves of her attractive body. The three Armament Sect outer sect disciples watching her from the back nearly shot fire from their eyes.

Those three outer sect disciples were carrying over two large boxes of bones to the front door of Qin Lie's stone tower.

"You may leave." Tang Siqi waved her hands and sent the three reluctant outer sect disciples away. Then, she yelled out loudly, "Number two hundred and thirty! Number two hundred and thirty!"

"She's calling for you." Yi Yuan laughed gloatingly inside the stone tower. "I knew she was about to show up."

Qin Lie frowned and helplessly left. He returned to his own stone tower.

There were two big boxes in front of the entrance of the stone tower. The boxes were filled with gray-white bones. Many of the bones were smooth, white, and clean, but there were also some that had rotted-gray-white on the surface but glowing with a faint, phosphorous light.

"Help me grind down these bones into dust. It has to be thinner than fine sand. Half a kilogram of bone dust will be worth a single contribution point."

Tang Siqi looked smilingly at him with ill intentions in her eyes. "You have five days to complete the task. If you exceed that time, then it will be considered a failure, and you will not... get a single contribution point. Yep, better watch out, I'll be back in five days." Once finished, she giggled and left cheerfully.

With a scowl, Qin Lie carried the two big boxes back to the stone tower and, after pausing a moment, got to work.

Bone dust was a commonly used spirit material. It could be fused into the interior of many artifacts and was used to enhance the compatibility of artifacts. It made a lot of special artifacts harder.

In addition, bone dust could also be merged into spirit armor and increase its defense. It could even be used to make medicine...

Qin Lie knew that his days in Armament Sect would definitely not be calm ever since he offended Tang Siqi three days ago and had mentally prepared himself a while back. Thus, he conscientiously worked with the tools he had to break the bones and grind them into dust with a grinder. Then, he loaded the end product into a wooden barrel.

"Zzt!"

A phosphorous spark flew out from a bone and landed on the back of his hand. Part of the back of his hand painfully and suddenly decayed.

The stench of the phosphorous fire spread out inside the small workshop, and after sniffing it a few times, Qin Lie's expression turned slightly pale. He felt upset and could not calm down any longer.

"It stinks way too badly at my place so I came here to rest and take a look at what you're working at." Sometime in the evening, Yi Yuan barged into Qin Lie's stone tower with an ungodly stench, speaking while checking out Qin Lie's task. "Grinding bone dust? This is far simpler than what I have, doesn't look like Tang Siqi mistreated you, did she?"

"Look closer!" Qin Lie said chillingly.

Yi Yuan walked up and focused his attention on Qin Lie's two arms. He noticed that there were many bloody wounds there. The back of his hands and his palms-they had all been corroded by phosphorous fire.

"Phosphorous poison?" Yi Yuan's expression changed.

Qin Lie nodded.

Yi Yuan's expression turned ugly. "From the looks of it, part of the bones came from a place with strong dark energy, and they must have been there for quite some time for phosphorous poison to form inside the bones. The corrosiveness of phosphorous poison is incredibly strong. If they spilled onto the human body, then your skin would fester on the spot. Moreover, the smell of phosphorous poison makes it easier for someone to become... upset or even incite a fiendish rebound. It causes people to lose control over their minds..."

He sucked in a deep breath. "It looks like your work is even trickier than mine."

After a pause Yi Yuan nodded once and said again, "...It's not really a surprise. You nearly burned Tang Siqi's entire dress in front of a hundred people, and even though she obviously hates you, she had no choice but to hug you tightly. It may be Tang Siqi's most embarrassing moment in her life. If she actually let you off easy, then something would be truly amiss."

"Do we have to listen to their every instruction?" Qin Lie asked coldly.

"They're the disciples from the inner sect, and... they even went out of their way to choose you and me as assistants. According to the rules of Armament Sect, we actually do have to listen to their every order." Yi Yuan smiled bitterly. "Unless you and I can become inner sect disciples and share the same status as them, then we will not need to listen to their orders."

"How do you become an inner sect disciple?" Qin Lie asked again.

"You need to be acknowledged by the elders of the inner sect, prove that you have the talent to become a powerful artificer, and show your potential in artificing..." Yi Yuan smiled while looking at Qin Lie. "Of course, there is also the easiest method and fastest shortcut."

"Which is?"

"If you can gain something from the twelve spirit pattern pillars and incite a reaction from anyone of them... then you can immediately enter the inner sect and even acquire the acknowledgement of all important characters within the inner sect. They will treat you as Armament Sect's future!"

"Spirit pattern pillars..."

"Hehe, I'm just saying that for the heck of it, you don't have to take it seriously. For the past thirty years, Mo Hai and Tang Siqi were the only ones to have gained something from the spirit pattern pillars. Every day, there are Armament Sect disciples who attempt to gain something from the spirit pattern pillars, but in the end, they are just wasting their time. Without talent or exceptional potential, don't even bother dreaming about acquiring a great opportunity from the spirit pattern pillars.

Not caring about the ungodly stench on his body, Yi Yuan sat down on his own, and consoled Qin Lie, "Just bear it for the moment. Those two women are just pissed off for now which is why they took it out on us. Once they've calmed down, they won't continue to make our lives difficult any longer."

Qin Lie kept quiet. In his head, the profound ice picture scroll appeared again and an idea regarding those twelve spirit pattern pillars came to mind.

Half a year ago, after he had successfully inscribed the Spirit Storage, Spirit Gathering, Amplification, and Strengthening Diagrams, he could vaguely feel that the Soul Suppressing Orb's second door was about to be unsealed. He felt that he would be able to break through the seal very soon and uncover the world behind it.

However, the frost picture scroll that had evolved from the frost concept had suddenly turned into a diagram in that world, and the door that was about to be opened seemed to be sealed tight yet again.

It was as if he would only be able to get through to the next area by completely learning the essence of the frost picture scroll and all of the diagrams and pictures in this world.

"The frost picture is very similar to the twelve spirit diagrams. If I can comprehend the essence of the frost picture, then maybe I can understand the diagram inscribed on the twelve spirit pattern pillars as well. Then, I can easily enter the Armament Sect's inner sect," Qin Lie inwardly thought as he decided to spend more effort on comprehending the frost picture.

"C'mon, let's go and get something to eat. I'm starving," Yi Yuan suddenly said after nagging for a moment.

"Does eating require contribution points?" Qin Lie came to.

"Not really. Heh, of course it's their responsibility to provide food and housing." Yi Yuan gave a cool smile and pulled Qin Lie outside. "Just follow me. I know where the dining hall is. If the two of us go in together, then I guarantee that, whether they be human or god, they will stay away."

He made it clear that he had no intentions of bathing or changing his clothes, and he did not allow Qin Lie to clear the smell of phosphorous poison from his body either. The two gods of plagues then rushed to the dining hall together.

There was the ungodly stench of spirit beast bile on Yi Yuan's body, and Qin Lie's arms were still riddled with the bloody wounds corroded by the phosphorous poison which was a kind of sour stench on its own. When the two headed into the dining hall, every Armament Sect martial practitioner who met them covered their noses and escaped far, far away in disgust.

When the duo arrived at Armament Sect's dining hall, the dining hall, which originally had the smell of food, immediately became enveloped by a terrible stink.

"Dammit, who the fuck fell into a shithole and came in without washing themselves?" The disciples eating inside the dining hall abruptly shot up from their seats, covered their noses and broke into loud curses.

"It's that number ninety-seven from that day! And number two hundred and thirty!" The person's face chilled as he cried out, "My seniors brothers, these two are the perverted bastards who insulted Senior Sister Tang and Senior Sister Lian Rou, and that number two hundred and thirty even touched Senior Sister Tang with his evil claws. They should die ten thousand times over!"

"Dammit, so it's those two bastards!"

"As expected, they look just as shitty as the shit on them. These two fuckers must have come here on purpose to ambush us. They're planning to kill us with their stench!"

"Teach them a lesson!"

"They have been an eyesore since a long ago!"

Seven or eight Armament Sect outer sect disciples rolled up their sleeves and angrily rushed over. Spirit energy surged from their bodies even as the random assortment of spirit artifacts swung down beforehand.

"Ding ling ling!"

The sweet sound of a bell rang, and sparks of cold light appeared from the sky. When examined closely, one would discover that these star-like cold lights came from metal sheets about the size of a fingernail.

These metal sheets were sharpened razor-thin. Cold light glittered off of them, and the spirit energy wave the sheets emanated was not weak at all.

"Bang bang!"

Once the metal sheets flew over and landed on the stone table, the stones had exploded upon impact. It took only one glance to know that its power was impressive.

Qin Lie weighed the odds in his heart, and just when he was hesitating about whether he should use Heavenly Thunder Eradication or not, Yi Yuan abruptly stepped forwards and coolly opened an umbrella.

The umbrella enveloped both him and Qin Lie as the metal sheets fell like show and shot at the umbrella's surface. Sparks flew ignited upon contact.

Yi Yuan let out a gentle smile on his face, but there was now a sharpness in his eyes as he softly said to Qin Lie, "It's likely that all of the outer sect disciples have a bone to pick with us. If we don't display some of our strength, then we may face an endless wave of nuisances in Armament Sect."

Once he finished speaking, Yi Yuan turned the handle as rays of purple light suddenly shot from the sides of the umbrella.

The purple light was like a sword beam or an arrow, shooting in every direction and causing the Armament Sect disciples' expressions to immediately shift. At once, they put on some fine spirit armor, and it only took a glance to realize that many of these sets of armor were of extraordinary quality. They were of much better compared to Dark Asura Hall's Beastskin Armor.

However, the moment they were struck by the purple light, the Armament Sect disciples still staggered backwards and turned pale.

After three people of slightly lower realms were struck dead center in their chest by the purple light, there were obvious cracks on their spirit armor. There was even blood at the corner of their lips.

Qin Lie was right under the umbrella. He could see how the spirit energy inside the umbrella flowed when Yi Yuan spun the handle and felt that Yi Yuan's aura had changed out of nowhere. It was a wave that was as wide and dangerous as the sea.

"The late stage of the Natal Opening Realm and nine Natal Palaces. This Yi Yuan... is not simple." Qin Lie was moved on the inside.

"We are all Armament Sect's outer sect disciples. Why must we fight and kill each other. Isn't it nicer to just hang out together peacefully?" Yi Yuan's smile was brilliant as he looked at those injured outer sect disciples and said, "I personally do not like to fight, but I also dislike it when someone has it out for me. So please restrain yourself in the future, or I may not always hold back in the future."

"How boastful!" While Yi Yuan threatened the crowd, a roar came from outside the dining hall as a figure burst into the fray.

Chapter 135: Pang Feng

A golden clump of light that was like a rolling stone and as bright as fireworks abruptly crashed into the umbrella in Yi Yuan's hands.

"Bang bang!"

Rich light scattered from the umbrella in Yi Yuan's hands as a terribly heavy pressure penetrated the umbrella's surface and pressed down on him like a mountain.

Yi Yuan groaned once. His figure shuddered as an unhealthy red appeared on his face.

Under the umbrella, Qin Lie was also jarred to the point that his knees felt weak. It was as if someone had shoved him down, and he almost couldn't endure it and was about to drop to the ground.

"Senior Brother Pang Feng!"

"Senior Brother Pang Feng is here!"

The Armament Sect outer sect disciples that had been shot by Yi Yuan with the purple light from his umbrella promptly cried out in pleasant surprise. A trace of fearful respect could be seen in their eyes.

A young man who was just over two meters tall suddenly showed up at the entrance to the dining hall with a handsome and broad face while wearing dazzling golden armor.

The moment he showed up, the dining hall became filled with the energy of the keen metal element, and the person himself was like an unsheathed blade giving off a sharp feeling.

"Pang Feng..." Yi Yuan frowned and withdrew his umbrella when he saw the young man who had unexpectedly appeared. He softly warned Qin Lie, "Careful."

"Were you the one spouting nonsense just now, Yi Yuan from the Purple Mist Sea?" Pang Feng strode over to them in wide steps with a wild and domineering aura emanating from his body. He glanced coldly at Yi Yuan, then turned to stare at Qin Lie once before saying, "Every year there will be new disciples who enter the sect, but there aren't many who are as rude as you are. You haven't even passed the exams yet, and yet you dare hit on the disciples of the inner sect. You have no idea of the immensity of heaven and earth!"

"Whatever we do is our own business. You need not worry for us, Senior Brother Pang." Yi Yuan's smile was warm.

"It looks like there are quite the number of thorns this time." Pang Feng snorted once. "As your senior brother, I have the responsibility to teach you some manners."

Pang Feng clenched his fists. He wore two exquisite and luxurious golden boxing gloves on his fists, and they were obviously tailor-made for him since it perfectly fit both of his hands.

He punched his fists together as golden light radiated from the boxing gloves. A heavy and frenzied atmosphere abruptly exploded outwards.

"Golden Stone Fall!"

Pang Feng let out a low shout before suddenly unleashing some kind of boxing style. While his two fists swung at them, the dazzling golden fist imprints solidified into golden rolling stones.

The many fist-sized rolling stones all shone with a golden light. They were formed through pure metallic energy, and like a meteor, they charged down at Yi Yuan and Qin Lie's heads with great force.

"Mist Form!"

Yi Yuan's smile persevered. He channeled a spirit art conjuring purple smog from his body.

The purple smog rolled like actual waves as they miraculously condensed into a blurry, purple spirit beast. The spirit beast made a swallowing motion, and it actually consumed the golden rolling stones one after another.

"Bang bang!"

Qin Lie stood right beside Yi Yuan, and he could see clouds of golden light falling to the ground from his sleeves, causing the dining hall's stone floor to shatter and explode.

From other people's point of view, when the thick purple smog had condensed, Qin Lie and Yi Yuan could no longer be seen. It was only because Qin Lie was so close that he could see that even though Yi Yuan's expression was relaxed, he was already channeling every bit of spirit energy in his body to resist Pang Feng's rolling, golden meteors.

He could also see that Yi Yuan was growing tired...

"Pang Feng's cultivation is in the late stage of the Natal Opening Realm, and he is only one step away from breaking into the Manifestation Realm. His golden spirit energy is extremely profound. I can't resist his attacks indefinitely." Just when Qin Lie was about to interfere, Yi Yuan lowered his voice and said this. Then, he said to everyone else, "Never mind, let's go first."

The thick purple smog suddenly shrunk, and the spirit beast formed from the smog also shifted towards the closest door. "Senior Brother Pang, we'll be moving ahead for business. No need to send us off." Yi Yuan's voice appeared from inside the smog, and when the voice had fleeted outside the dining hall, the purple smog had also slowly cleared away.

Naturally, the horrible stench filling the dining hall disappeared. Only then did Pang Feng turn his head and talk to the person behind him. "Shishi, those two bastards haved departed, left and the stench has also disappeared. Come and have a meal."

"Mn." A soft-looking girl sharing nearly the same looks as Pang Feng obediently walked in from the outside.

"So Shishi has returned from the inner sect. No wonder Senior Brother Pang became so angry at the two newcomers all of a sudden," said someone in realization.

"Pang Feng loves his sister the most. He accompanied his sister to Armament Sect because he was afraid she would be bullied. Those two smelly bastards walked into the dining hall to cause trouble and stopped Shishi from entering dining hall. That naturally that pissed off Pang Feng. Otherwise, with his mature demeanor, he might not have interfered."

"Mn, they totally deserve it."

Everyone was discussing about the matter.

Meanwhile, Qin Lie and Yi Yuan had returned to Qin Lie's stone tower. Yi Yuan let out a sigh and said, "It was meant to intimidate the outer sect disciples, but I didn't expect that we would run into Pang Feng. I guess we were unlucky."

"Pang Feng?" Lowering his head, Qin Lie thought for a moment and commented, "His nine Natal Palaces are filled with energy, his body is as tough as stone as steel, and the spirit art he cultivates is strong and overbearing. He's a character alright."

"Of course." Yi Yuan laughed bitterly. "Pang Feng is Cloud Sky Mountain's most talented fellow for the past ten years. His cultivation of 'Golden Stone Art' is superb, and he is reputed in Cloud Sky Mountain as a person that is 'full of gold.' The Mountain Lord of Cloud Sky Mountain also has great expectations of him. When he had expressed his intention to accompany his sister to Armament Sect, everyone in Cloud Sky Mountain grew anxious. It was said that the Mountain Lord of Cloud Sky Mountain even talked to him personally, hoping that he would stay at Cloud Sky Mountain while promising to spend everything to cultivate him..."

Qin Lie listened closely.

Yi Yuan then shook his head. "Pang Feng's parents were famous Cloud Sky Mountain martial practitioners in the past, but unfortunately, they died in battle a long time ago. He didn't have any other relatives except his single sister Pang Shishi. For many years the two depended on each other, and he has practically raised his sister singlehandedly. In his eyes, his sister is everything to him."

"Pang Shishi is interested in artifact forging and wants to become an artificer. Since she wanted to come to Armament Sect, Pang Feng accompanied her. Because of this, he even rejected the offer from Cloud Sky Mountain's Mountain Lord to raise him..."

Yi Yuan paused for a moment before continuing, "He is a respectable fellow. It must have been because Pang Shishi was also outside the dining hall and wanted to eat that he had attacked out of rage today. Our smell... probably affected Pang Shishi which was why he was incited."

Yi Yuan grew embarrassed, "Um, there is also the fact that I may not necessarily be Pang Feng's opponent and was in the wrong in the first place. Let's avoid him if we can."

Qin Lie nodded on the inside and felt a little bit of good will towards Yi Yuan. He also committed Pang Feng to memory.

"Both Pang Feng and Pang Shishi were outer sect disciples at first when they arrived together at Armament Sect. But soon after, Pang Shishi's talent in artifact forging shone, and she gained smooth entry to the inner sect while the elders of the inner sect placed great expectations on her." Yi Yuan then started again, "Pang Feng has no interest in artifact forging and wholeheartedly wished to pursue the martial way. His improvement at the outer sect was also respectable which gained the favor of an outer sect elder. It is possible that he may become an outer sect elder in the future.

"Outer sect elders may not necessarily love forging or have the ability to forge artifacts." Yi Yuan explained, "Armament Sect is scattered in all areas of Armament Pavilion, and they need to be watched over by capable personnel. The transportation of spirit artifacts also need to be protected by powerful practitioners, and there are also a number of inner sect disciples who are good at forging artifacts but dislike fighting. So when they head out, they also need to be guarded...

"Therefore, Armament Sect needs powerful practitioners to watch over the sect and powerful martial power support them. The outer sect elders of Armament Sect will fulfill this role. Pang Feng had come for the position of outer sect elder the moment he entered Armament Pavilion. He is ready to use force to protect his sister Pang Shishi so she can focus on artifact forging without any worries."

Yi Yuan smiled at Qin Lie. "I'm not interested in artifact forging, and it was only for the past half a year that I've seeked out an artificer on my side to learn some knowledge to pass the entry exam. My goal is the same as Pang Feng, actually. We are both aiming for the position of outer sect elder. He did it for family, to protect Pang Shishi. Whereas I did it for love, to protect my Lian Rou in the future..."

"How about you? Are you really here to learn artifact forging, or are you here for Tang Siqi?" Yi Yuan suddenly asked.

"For artifact forging," answered Qin Lie.

Yi Yuan let out suspicious laughter before nodding his head and responding, "There is no conflict between learning how to forge artifacts and chasing skirts. From my point of view, you're here more for Tang Siqi, haha." He slapped Qin Lie's shoulders and earnestly said, "Brother Qin, your path will be harder than mine. That Tang Siqi is the brightest pearl in Armament Sect and desired by god knows how many people. She is far harder to chase after than Lian Rou, and your competitors also number far more than mine. If I'm not mistaken, that Liang Shaoyang from Dark Shadow Tower ... has also come for Tang Siqi, so Brother Qin had better be mentally prepared."

Qin Lie's expression was cool and he did not say anything in response to Yi Yuan's words.

For the next five days Qin Lie had covered up both his hands and arms with gauze, and enduring the debilitating effects of the phosphorous poison inside the bones, he focused his mind on meticulously grinding the bones into fine powder that was many times tinier than even fine sand. He worked with even harsher requirements than those Tang Siqi had imposed on him.

During these five days he had temporarily stopped his cultivation of the martial way.

While he was focusing on grinding bones, he attempted to enter the state of Thoughtless Tranquility to try to understand the wonders of the frost picture scroll with his soul inside the Soul Suppressing Orb.

While he was working, he was like an ice sculpture. His life force was completely hidden and cold energy emanated from his body, turning the entire small workshop ice cold.

Sometimes, his soul consciousness would turn flighty, and it was as if he had entered the world inside the frost picture scroll...

It was as if he had been instantly transported beneath the Arctic Mountain Range, as if he was standing naked amidst a world of snow and ice, experiencing the chilling feeling of having his bones and flesh eaten away and his heart invaded bit by bit.

"Perhaps I can try sketching the frost picture inside a spirit tablet just like inscribing a spirit diagram. I can inscribe it inside a spirit tablet... and treat it like a spirit diagram." While in the state of Thoughtless Tranquility, no emotions surged inside his eyes as he mechanically grinded the bones. However, the fluctuation inside his mind was incredibly strong.

"Number two hundred and thirty, calling for Qin Bing! I finally know your name!" With a mind to see Qin Lie embarrassed, Tang Siqi radiantly stood in front of the entrance and cried out once before pushing the stone door open and barging right in. "Qin Bing! It's been five days, I'm here to check if you've completed the task. If you have not, then you won't get even a single contribution point!"

A bone chilling feeling rushed over as Tang Siqi's entire body began to quiver.

When she glanced inside the stone tower, she couldn't stop herself from crying out in surprise. Her eyes were filled with a strange light.

Chapter 136: Super Trick?

It was as if it was snowing inside the stone tower. The bench, table, and floor, all made of stone, were frozen in ice, and the horrible cold someone to feel freezing cold all over.

Outside, sunlight was shining high, the lake was shimmering, and the temperature pleasant. In contrast, the inside of the tower was like the middle of winter-practically another world compared to the outside-and it caused Tang Siqi's expression to change as she couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

Inside the frozen little workshop, Qin Lie's eyes remained indifferent with not the slightest trace of emotion inside his eyes. It was as if he didn't notice her arrival at all.

Qin Lie continued to use the simple tools to break down the bones and grind them into bone dust. From beginning to end he never lifted his head to look at her even once, treating her like air...

Tang Siqi had been raised with love and care since she was a child, and ever since she arrived at Armament Sect, she was even beholden by all eyes. She was every young man's dream lover, and no matter where she went, she was the focus of attention. Her voluptuous figure was always chased by countless gazes, and she had never been ignored so thoroughly by anyone before.

She did not receive the passionate gaze a normal man should have from Qin Lie. The cool and indifferent look in Qin Lie's eyes made her feel extremely uncomfortable, almost as if she was being humiliated.

However, when she bent over and looked at the bone dust inside the wooden barrel, her eyes lit up a little.
The bone dust grinded by Qin Lie inside the wooden barrel was like the ashes of burned yellow paper. This was true powder without a single granule shaped substance to be found.

Withstanding the cold inside the tower, Tang Siqi arrived next to the wooden barrel, extended a jade-like finger into it, and stirred for a little.

Her eyes grew brighter and brighter as she exclaimed softly in her heart, "This perfectly meets my needs! If I were to do it myself, this is about what I could manage!"

Recently, she required high quality bone dust to use with a few sets of spirit armor.

Even though she was so talented, as an Armament Sect inner sect disciple, she was still required to forge artifacts on time for Armament Sect. One of the reasons was to ensure their artifact forging skills didn't decay, and the other was to increase Armament Sect's income.

The spirit artifacts distributed by Armament Sect to each Armament Pavilion were also forged by disciples and elders in Armament Sect. The spirit stones earned were then used again on the sect to buy all kinds of rare spirit materials so the inner sect disciples and elders could continue to research artifact forging and increase their artificer rank.

When Tang Siqi instructed Qin Lie to grind the bones, she didn't expect much. The bones she had people deliver were also a little special-they mostly came from the Land of Profound Yin.

It was easy for phosphorus poison to form within bones from Land of Profound Yin. They could easily hurt whoever was grinding them and even cause them to lose control of their mind.

Originally, she was not planning to use the bone dust Qin Lie had grinded. This was because she knew that it wasn't easy at all to grind down so many bones in just five days.

Even if he did succeed, the bone dust he grinded would never have met her expectations.

Therefore, she actually had a different arrangement set up already-she had asked Tong Jihua to look for a few older outer sect disciples to help her grind the bones.

Before she came here, she had looked through the bone dust grinded down by the outer sect disciples-they had achieved her minimum requirements.

Her trip here today was mainly to humiliate and make life hard for Qin Lie. She wanted to make him pay.

-She thought nothing about Qin Lie's bone dust from the beginning and had never planned to use it at all.

However, when she had felt the bone dust inside the wooden barrel grinded by Qin Lie for a while with a jade-like finger, she immediately changed her mind-she was going to use the bone dust Qin Lie grinded!

The quality of Qin Lie's bone dust was leagues better than any grinded the others. It had greatly exceeded her expectations, and was also the most suitable ingredient for her to use on the sets of spirit armor.

"If there are good quality materials to use, then why would I use mediocre ones?"

She muttered silently. Carefully watching the bones inside the small workshop, she discovered that, out of the two boxes of bones, there were only nine bones left. The rest was all grinded to dust. She then checked the bone dust in the other barrels and found that all of it was just as high quality.

"I suppose he is a serious person, and his attitude towards artifact forging... is acceptable, I guess, far better than those who do a half-hearted job." Tang Siqi nodded on the inside as her view on Qin Lie changed just a little.

At this moment, Qin Lie woke from the state of Thoughtless Tranquility. As his gaze changed, the chilly atmosphere in the room was also quickly withdrawn.

"Senior Sister Tang," Qin Lie said coldly.

Tang Siqi shuddered, surprised by Qin Lie suddenly calling out to her. She then humphed once, nodded, and said, "The quality of the bone dust you grinded isn't bad, but there are still nine bones that you haven't completed. I've told you before that you must grind all the bones to powder in five days!"

"It's hasn't been a full five days yet, I still have an hour left." Sitting straight, Qin Lie lifted his head to coldly stare at her with derisive eyes, "You seem to have misremembered the time?"

The moment that indifferent gaze fell on her, the burning anger in Tang Siqi's heart immediately rose to the surface. She suddenly recalled the scene from that day again. "Wh-what's with your attitude?"

"This is my attitude." Qin Lie opened the gauze wrapped around both his hands and revealed the bloody wounds on his arms and the back of his hands. "Supposedly, special gloves would be provided to the grinder to prevent them from getting hurt when grinding bone dust with phosphorous poison." He stared at Tang Siqi with an even colder expression. "Where are my gloves?"

Seeing the bloody wounds on his hands, Tang Siqi's attitude suddenly turned weak. "I-I don't know. All I did is to give out the task. I wouldn't care about the distribution of the appropriate tools a-and I couldn't care less about it."

Qin Lie frowned and bowed his head silently for a while. Suddenly, he waved his hands as if he was sweeping away flies with a face full with impatience. "Please leave and stop wasting my time or disturbing my work. I still have an hour left, and I would like to finish the rest within that hour."

"You-Very well! Qin Bing! I'll remember you!" Tang Siqi stomped her feet with her beautiful face beet red as she grit her teeth and retreated.

Like a ball of flame she arrived at Lian Rou's VIP pavilion and angrily sat down, "I'm so angry, that bastard made me so angry!"

"Qin Bing?" Lian Rou picked up a wooden spirit tablet and was inscribing a spirit diagram on it. When she saw her coming in with a face filled with anger, she put down the spirit tablet and asked with a smile, "You went to collect the goods didn't you? How is it? Did he grind the bone dust with the most malicious manner possible and give you some bone bits instead?"

Lian Rou's thoughts were the same as hers. She had assumed that Qin Lie wouldn't treat this seriously and would do sub-par work, resisting her with bone bits.

"It's not like that. The bone dust that guy made was a lot better than the ones I asked Uncle Tong to find others to do." Tang Siqi angrily continued, "Even if I were to do it myself, that was the best I could've done. It wouldn't be better than the bone dust he made-he is a very diligent person, and there are no flaws that I find with it at all."

"Then why are you angry?" Lian Rou was slightly surprised. She sat up straighter as she grew more and more curious.

"It's, it's his attitude. The way he looks at me! The way he talks to me!" Tang Siqi said in a flustered and exasperated manner. Her beautiful face was filled with anger. "In his eyes, it's as if I'm not a woman. No, that's not right, in his eyes it's as if I'm not even a person! He never looked me in the eye. He treated me like air, like I couldn't even compare to the stone bench or stone table in his house! That bastard even said that I intentionally left out the gloves, what the hell does it have to do with me? The ones who distribute them are the outer sect disciples, I've never said a thing about it, on what basis is he putting that blame on me?"

"Siqi. You don't usually get angry this easily, but it appears that you get riled up quite easily as of late." Lian Rou looked deeply at her.

"Ever since I ran into that bastard and got my clothes burned by him, I just feel a well of anger inside me. It's as if I can't stand anyone anymore." Tang Siqi grit her teeth with what seemed like flames burning inside her eyes. "This can't go on. I want to control him, I want him to listen to me obediently, I want him to feel fear when talking to me! Hmph!"

Lian Rou's expression turned strange. "Siqi, you're so dumb!"

"What?" Tang Siqi grew confused.

"This is his method! This is his way to attract your attention, just like that crazy Yi Yuan who ask me to choose him in front of everyone. Qin Bing is also using this way to make you pay attention to him. See, didn't you fall for it?-These are all tricks of men!" Lian Rou said with an experienced outlook, "Compared to Yi Yuan's methods, this Qin Bing is on a much higher level than him. Look at you, hasn't he made you completely upset? Once you're upset, then you might fall into a passive position. You're about to fall into his trap!"

Once she said that, Tang Siqi seemed to have come to a realization. "So what you're saying is... he is just like those guys who have specifically come for me? It's just that he used a completely new method-riling up my anger-to attract my attention?"

"That must be it!" Lian Rou was very sure.

Tang Siqi blanked out slightly before she began giggling. Her beautiful face was filled with high spirits. "So this is how it is. Interesting, how interesting! I've not seen such a shrewd person in a long time. Ha, I'm going to have a lot of fun with him alright!" When she reached this point, she grit her teeth yet again.

"Also, you should be careful with Liang Shaoyang, he should be here for you as well. Make sure you don't fall for it," reminded Lian Rou again.

"I knew that from the beginning." Tang Siqi nodded. "I only played a little trick when I stood beside him, and he was distracted already. There must be something up his sleeve!"

"Shishi's brother... also seemed to think about you a little," Lian Rou softly said after a moment's discretion.

"Pang Feng?" Tang Siqi frowned before shaking her head. "Maybe not. He seldomly takes the initiative to contact me, and the only one in his heart is his sister. Most of his time is spent cultivating in the martial way, and he is completely focused on becoming an outer sect elder. Maybe you're thinking a little too much about this."

"I hope so." Lian Rou did not continue explaining either.

......

"Brother, you should be more proactive. If you don't reveal your feelings a little, she'll never know about them." At the foot of Flame Volcano, beside the glittering lake, Pang Shishi stared at the lake surface and softly said, "There are so many people chasing after Senior Sister Tang, and it's possible that she doesn't even remember many of their names. If you never tell her, then when will she ever look to you?"

Beside the lake, Pang Feng quietly sat, facing the lake like steel and stone. He quietly replied, "Shishi, you don't have to worry about me. You just focus your energy on artifact forging."

"How can I not worry?" Pang Shishi wrinkled her nose elegantly. "Let's exclude those guys from the past or some of the seniors of the inner sect. Let's talk about this new batch of people. That Liang Shaoyang and Qin Bing have also come for Senior Sister Tang. Not only that, but Liang Shaoyang is the youngest son of Dark Shadow Tower's Tower Lord. Neither his realm nor his looks are worse than yours, he is not weak competition."

"There's also that number two hundred and thirty Qin Bing. To this day, I haven't found out anything about his background, but his methods are definitely amazing... Even if it was a little despicable and shameless, he has succeeded in his goal and was directly selected by Senior Sister Tang to be her assistant. He will have more and more chances to come into contact with Senior Sister Tang in the future."

"People often say that time breeds affection. His advantage now is pretty obvious. At the very least, he's better than Liang Shaoyang. Someone who can come up with such a shameless idea must be a very insidious person. When he came over, he must have had an entire plan already thought up. If he is allowed to wander around Senior Sister Tang, then your position will be truly precarious!"

"I told you, you don't have to worry about it!" Pang Feng yelled out quietly.

"Fine, see if I care, hmph!" Pang Shishi angrily turned her head and walked away.

"Number two hundred and thirty, Qin Bing..." After she left, Pang Feng frowned and whispered while looking at the lake's surface.

......

On the other side, Liang Shaoyang's expression was gloomy inside the same type of stone tower that had been arranged for Qin Lie and Yi Yuan.

Armament Sect's inner sect disciple, Yin Hao was also inside the room. A few days ago, he had selected Liang Shaoyang as his assistant, and right now, when he was facing Liang Shaoyang, not only did he not have the slightest bit of arrogance in his behavior, there was even a trace of flattery in his expression. "Shaoyang, is the Tower Lord doing well as of late?"

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. My father is doing well." Liang Shaoyang came to his senses. "I will like to trouble senior brother to investigate that Qin Bing's background."

"Don't worry, Shaoyang. I already have my men on the job." Yin Hao nodded before saying, "Tang Siqi had caused reactions in two spirit pattern pillars and is highly regarded by the current sect master and inner sect's First Elder, Mo Hai. She herself is a true artifact forging genius, and if there are no accidents, she will definitely become the next sect master."

He looked to Liang Shaoyang, "If you, Shaoyang, can move her heart and form a connection with her, then in the future, Armament Sect will become Dark Shadow Tower's spirit artifact warehouse. All of Armament Sect's artificers will be serving under Dark Shadow Tower, and Dark Shadow Tower's strength will immediately reach completely new heights!"

"Naturally, I understand." Liang Shaoyang nodded proudly. "That is my goal in coming to Armament Sect, for Tang Siqi!"

"But now you have a stumbling block," Yin Hao said.

"Qin Bing? I will sweep this obstacle as soon as possible!" Liang Shaoyang snorted coldly.

Chapter 137: Special Gift!

Two hours later, three Armament Sect outer sect disciples came to Qin Lie's stone tower to weigh the bone dust.

Five days ago, it had been this trio that had delivered two large boxes of bone.

"Thirty-seven and a half kilograms, two contribution points per kilogram. Qin Bing, you have received seventy-five contribution points." The person named Kan Yang coldly looked at Qin Lie. He glanced at Qin Lie's arm and muttered in a small voice, "He wasn't wounded..."

The other two people carried out the wooden buckets filled with bone powder. They had to deliver the power to Tang Siqi so they were standing outside at this time.

Qin Lie heard what Kan Yang muttered. His expression turned icy. "When you delivered the bones, you should have warned me about their origins and told me there was phosphorus poison in there. Also, you should have given me the specialized gloves!"

"What gloves?" asked Kan Yang in feigned ignorance.

"What is he talking about?" The two people outside chimed in agreement, "I don't know what he means."

Qin Lie knew that a portion of the outer sect disciples thought of him as an eyesore and would act against him if they had the chance. From the expressions of the trio, he knew that the specialized gloves had been provided, and even if they were not the ones that hid them, the three of them definitely were involved.

"Nothing."

Qin Lie's eyes turned icy as he raised a porcelain bowl covered in animal skin by his side. Under the puzzled gazes of Kan Yang and the other two, he suddenly took off the animal skin on the bowl.

With a shake of his arm, the glowing light inside the bowl sprayed out. The dots of green phosphorus fire flashed as they landed on Kan Yang and the other two.

"Phosphorus poison!"

The trio paled and yelled as they retreated. Their eyes were filled with terror.

As the phosphorous fire shot out, a smell that could cause people to lose their mind spread throughout the room. Qin Lie had to focus to deal with it.

When he learned from Yi Yuan that bones containing phosphorus poison needed to be handled with specialized gloves, Qin Lie had made preparations-he gathered a portion of it.

-Specifically to deal with the people that dared to withhold the gloves from him!

The phosphorus poison sprayed like sparks from a fire. Even though Kan Yang and the others had retreated outside the door, some phosphorus poison still made contact with their bodies.

The corrosive phosphorus poison caused their clothing to rot when it landed on them. Their flesh also immediately started to burn and crack.

The trio couldn't help but shout.

There were many inner and outer sect disciples active under the twelve spirit pattern pillars in the plaza nearby. Hearing the wails, they all looked over.

"This is the taste of phosphorus poison that I have experienced over the past five days." Qin Lie's eyes were frigid as he said in an icy voice, "Next time, if I have to experience pain, I will let you taste it all and have you experience it with me! This phosphorous poison is the special gift I prepared for you!"

"Qin Bing! You dare to deliberately harm people, we definitely will not let you off! I will tell an elder and get the elder to punish you!"

The phosphorous poison on Kan Yang's chest were like spots that rotted his flesh. As he bared his teeth in pain, he threatened in a vicious tone.

"Up to you. I want to see if the elders of Armament Sect listen to reason," Qin Lie said with a cold face.

The trio's bodies were being corroded by the phosphorous poison. At this time, he didn't dare to speak more. Taking the buckets filled with bone dust, they hurriedly left. They had to treat their wounds as soon as possible.

Qin Lie knew that, according to the practices of Armament Sect, there would at least be a day or two of rest after completing a mission.

He shut the door to his stone tower after the trio left since he needed to leave Armament Sect and go to the little compound that Li Mu left behind. This was so he could use the Eye of Frost to go to the land of ice to cultivate.

On the plaza, many inner and outer sect disciples were gathered under the spirit pattern pillars.

Many people did not know their own limits and had delusions. They felt they were fated and could also understand the wonders of the diagrams on the spirit pattern pillars, that they could cause the pillars to react.

The twenty or so new disciples that had just been admitted naturally wanted to try after learning about the wonders of the spirit pattern pillars as well, so many people were present.

The Tian Jianhao that Qin Lie had beaten, Liang Shaoyang of Dark Shadow Tower, Ouyang Jingjing of Seven Fiends Valley. Even Yi Yuan, who said he was not interested in forging, was sitting under a spirit pattern pillar as though he was concentrating and using his heart to feel it...

If Qin Lie had to leave Armament Sect, he had to pass through this plaza. Many people paid attention to him when they saw him come over.

Pang Feng's younger sister, Pang Shishi; inner sect disciple Yi Hao, Liang Shaoyang; and Tian Jianhao all looked at him as though they wanted to see his weaknesses and true personality.

"You're going out?" asked Yi Yuan with a smile when Qin Lie walked past him, .

Qin Lie stopped and nodded. He then inquired with a creased brow, "Didn't you say you were not interested in artifact forging?"

"I'm not interested," Yi Yuan's expression was slightly awkward, "but I want to try too. I want to see if I can understand the diagrams on the spirit pattern pillars, to see if I can cause changes in the spirit pattern pillars. Ha, those that pass the exams will all think they are unique, that their intelligence is above the rest, and will want to try. Even though I am not that interested in artifact forging, I am not immune."

"Hope you succeed," Qin Lie left behind as he sped up his pace to walk out of the plaza and leave Armament Sect.

Yi Yuan chuckled before putting his attention back on the spirit pattern pillars. His brows were creased as though he was thinking hard on some matter.

"He's been in Armament Sect for a few days, but he hasn't even sat under the spirit pattern pillars to look at them yet? Does he not feel the desire to? Doesn't he want to test out his talent?"

"No one can be ambivalent. If they can understand one of the spirit pattern pillars and get the sprit pattern pillar to react, they can instantly enter the inner sect and receive the favor of Sect Leader and all the elders. They will receive all kinds of special benefits. What method is faster than this or more direct? And to go truly into the core of Armament Sect?"

"Then why hasn't this guy come here yet?"

"Because Senior Sister Tang has detained him, and he has been given difficult missions. He does not have the time to come and attempt to comprehend the pillars."

"Don't pay attention to him. He clearly came for Senior Sister Tang. He probably doesn't have much interest in forging. This guy... has high skills though. I still admire him greatly."

"Mn, he really has high skills. Other people pursue Senior Sister Tang in hopes of getting Senior Sister's affections to make Senior Sister Tang happy!. This guy goes in the opposite direction and always makes Senior Sister Tang unhappy or makes her hate him... I hadn't expected that it would be pretty effective. Senior Sister Tang really is paying attention to him. I heard that Senior Sister Tang is furious with him and she seems to be at odds with him?"

"So strong! He really has moves!"

Under the spirit pattern pillars the inner and outer sect disciples chatted after Qin Lie had left.

Liang Shaoyang and Dark Asura Hall's Tian Jianhao were under two separate spirit pattern pillars. Hearing the discussion, their expressions became extremely dark and ugly.

......

Under the Arctic Mountain Range.

Qin Lie was sitting at the peak of a glacier. Among this cruel and cold world of ice, he was holding a spirit tablet. The spirit energy grew and shrank out of his fingertip as he focused on inscribing something.

Inside the world of the spirit tablet, a spirit line was moving like a snake and depicted a cold scene.

-He was drawing the frost picture scroll inside the Soul Suppressing Orb.

"Cra-ack!"

The rock spirit tablet suddenly cracked into many pieces. The cold picture scroll inside crumbled along with it.

"The thirty-fifth tablet!"

Qin Lie shouted lowly. He didn't look dispirited though as he took out a new spirit tablet and continued to sketch.

With his experiences of having failed hundreds of times when inscribing spirit diagrams, he learned long ago to accept failure. He knew that learning anything was a slow and difficult process. One needed to fail again and again until comprehension was finally achieved. Then one would gradually discover the path to success.

"Bam!" Another spirit tablet shattered.

"Seventy-third tablet!" Qin Lie shouted. He took a deep breath. Then, he temporarily stopped his inscription of the frost picture scroll and looked at the mountains of ice in front of him with furrowed brows. "Where is the problem? Why are the spirit tablets turning to powder while I inscribe the frost picture scroll? Is it because I have not grasped the thickness and density of each spirit line? Or is it that a certain spirit line is incorrect?"

Learning a spirit diagram was like learning a technique. One didn't just have to understand the construction of the spirit diagram, one had to also know how much spirit energy to use when inscribing each spirit line.

The same spirit line, if drawn with a certain level of spirit energy, could successfully merge into the entire spirit diagram.

But if one used too much power when inscribing and used even an extra tenth or twentieth of the spirit energy required, the same spirit line would turn out incorrect and cause the entire spirit diagram to suddenly collapse.

This was why Qin Lie did not worry that people would learn the two diagrams after he inscribed the Spirit Gathering and Spirit Storage diagrams onto the Spirit Gathering and Spirit Storage Boards.

Being able to see the spirit diagrams inside the Spirit Gathering Board was one matter, learning it was another.

It was similar to powerful arts. If one only knew the moves but did not understand the corresponding inner techniques, they would forever be unable to display the full power of the art.

Being able to see the Spirit Gathering diagram but unable to know how much power and spirit energy to use when inscribing the spirit lines, that person would never be able to truly grasp the inscription of the Spirit Gathering diagram.

"It doesn't seem easy to realize the drawing using spirit tablets..." Qin Lie said as he thought hard of solutions.

Spirit sea! Drawing in the spirit sea!

He suddenly recalled how he had drawn out the Spirit Gathering diagram using spirit energy in his spirit sea when he had made his breakthrough to the ninth level of Refinement. That had caused a spirit energy whirlpool to form in his spirit sea.

"Is there a way that I can use spirit energy to inscribe the frost picture scroll inside my spirit sea?" When this idea came out, he couldn't control himself and immediately started to act.

Closing his eyes, he adjusted his state of mind. He channeled the spirit energy in his dantian's spirit sea and first formed a spirit line.

With this spirit line as the beginning, he comprehended the frost picture scroll in his Soul Suppressing Orb as he tried to move the spirit line in the spirit sea. The line slowly started to move.

Seconds later, an enormous pain came from his spirit sea. That flash of pain passed through his entire body. Qin Lie's expression changed dramatically as cold sweat covered his body.

At this time, he had just sketched out a tiny ice statue with the spirit lines!

"No, this is not the right path!" Qin Lie instantly stopped his nonsensical actions. His face was white. "I finally understand. The reason the spirit tablets would crumble is that it cannot withstand that... terrifying frost concept! The frost concept might have become a picture, but it still exists. If I use my mind to sketch and feel it, that will cause the frost concept to be pulled in!"

Inside my body, which place can completely withstand the iciness of the frost concept without being injured?" he murmured to himself.

"Natal palace! The two natal palaces that have formed as ice balls!" Qin Lie's eyes lit up again.

Chapter 138: A Foot in the Door

Qin Lie prepared to keep trying.

Gathering his mind, he calmed his heart. His emotions gradually steadied, and he entered his dantian's spirit sea through his soul consciousness.

Within his spirit sea that was like a sea of clouds, the three Natal Palaces were like heavenly paradises floating above the spirit sea.

The Natal Palace condensed from thunder and lightning was like a ball of lightning. Lightning arced across it, and thunder boomed loudly inside it. The Natal Palaces made from the power of frost were like two crystal balls that gave off a glowing light. Coldness flowed through them.

A wisp of consciousness divided into three slender threads that entered the three separate Natal Palaces.

His soul seemed to have suddenly entered three completely different worlds. One was full of rampaging lightning and thunder, bolts of lightning tangled together as they flashed and thunder boomed in waves.

Inside the thunder and lightning Natal Palace, great vibrations came from explosions that occurred everywhere. If the thought that entered there did not come from him, it would have been blown apart immediately.

The two other threads of thought landed in the two ice crystal spheres that were his two Natal Palaces. It was akin to stepping into a world of freezing ice and frost.

"Frost concept, the picture scroll drawn with cold power from the Natal Palace. Comprehending frost concept, grasp the method of using the frost power..."

He kept in mind the reason why he was going deep into the ice balls. Qin Lie's two strands of thought moved through the two ice balls. He tried to manipulate a thread of frost power and use his soul consciousness to form it into a spirit line. He wanted to draw the lines of the frost picture scroll in this icy land.

Strangely, as this thought of his arose, he was able to easily manipulate the cold power filling the two, ice-sphere Natal Palaces!

Up until now, he had been unable to draw out the true frost power from the Natal Palaces and could not merge it into his spirit energy to perform powerful spirit arts.

As of recent, when he fought, the cold energy released from his body came from inside his body. It was from the cold energy his corporeal body had recently absorbed.

It was also because he could not control the cold energy and merge it into his Natal Palaces that he gave people the feeling of aloofness and coldness.

If he could channel the cold power and comprehend the essence of the frost concept, he could change all of this.

Threads of glowing ice formed from cold power were manipulated by his soul consciousness and slowly moved in the world of crystal ice...

He had drawn out the general shape of the frost picture in his mind. As his soul consciousness moved in his icy Natal Palace, he gradually grasped the wonders of the two ice-sphere Natal Palaces. He could clearly feel threads of cold energy gather through his muscles, veins, limbs, and even from his pores.

The thick-white, cold mist came from all directions and shrouded the area around him.

Under the Arctic Mountain Range, in that cruel, cold land covered in glaciers on top of a crystal peak, the extreme cold energy that never dissipated slowly flowed as though it was alive and gathered atop Qin Lie's head.

Qin Lie seemed to be situated at the top of white clouds. The icy energy around him was so thick a desolate and freezing essence was released.

Time flowed by.

An unknown amount of time later, Qin Lie was startled awake. His eyes opened suddenly.

The thick-white, cold energy, that had gathered in an instant, cleanly disappeared. At the same time, the frost picture scroll that he had drawn in the two ice-sphere Natal Palaces also shattered into fragments of light and turned to pure frost power that merged into the ice balls.

"Frost concept, so it needs to be coordinated with the mind, needs the mind to be as cold as frost, as hard as steel..." he murmured. His eyes suddenly became emotionless and frighteningly cold. "I finally found the solution and know how to comprehend the true frost concept. If I continue, I will completely grasp the cold power of the two Natal Palaces sometime in the near future."

When he had been immersed in the frost picture scroll and adjusted his mind and emotions to become icy and emotionless, he found that he became extremely sensitive to the cold power and could finally get it to respond.

To channel the frost power, it needed the mind and soul as one, needed his entire mind and body to be fully immersed, and needed his body to be as hard as ice!

His eyes gradually lit up.

A long time later, he stood. He took out the Eye of Frost and activated it.

......

Outer sect of Armament Sect.

"Three Poison Scale Scorpions, you are to take off the entire skin in tact, I want to use it to make spirit armor. One skin will be thirty contribution points. You have nine days to complete the mission. Remember, each skin cannot have flaws. Otherwise, you won't get any contribution points."

"Got it."

Nine days later.

"Three hundred Sunshine Stones. You are to extract flame energy from them. Let's put it at three hundred contribution points. I'll give you fifteen days."

"Oh."

Fifteen days later.

"Six Dragonhorn Rhinoceros horns. You are to sand them into the shape of spear. I want to forge them as the core for long spears. You have ten days. I'll give you one hundred and fifty contribution points."

"Got it."

"Twelve Dragon Bone Jade, you are to..."

"Got it."

In the following three months, Qin Lie and Tang Siqi would have a conversation like this once in a while.

Every time, Tang Siqi would get Kan Yang and others to come with spirit materials and arrange for Qin Lie to work on processing or sanding.

Qin Lie would coldly accept the task each time and then prepare the materials by the deadline. Kan Yang and his group would then deliver them to Tang Siqi.

Kan Yang and the others never dared to attempt any tricks in secret.

After a mission was completed, he would have three days of rest. Using those three days, he would go to the little compound outside the sect and use the Eye of Frost to enter the underground area of the Arctic Mountain Range to cultivate.

As his knowledge of frost power increased, he gradually grasped how to focus his mind and body to cooperate to channel the power of frost.

During the days when thunder and lightning were prevalent, he would find a remote place devoid of people and continue his cultivation of Heavenly Thunder Eradication...

His progress on the martial way was extremely quick. He felt that if he truly grasped the power of frost, he would smoothly break into the middle stage of the Natal Opening Realm.

On the other side, as he continued to work and prepare all kinds of spirit materials, his understanding of the attributes of different spirit materials deepened.

The mission that Tang Siqi gave each time were guaranteed to not be relaxing and would challenge his limits every time. He had to expend great mental thought and effort to reach Tang Siqi's demands so she did not have the chance to nitpick.

Next time, Tang Siqi would arrange for an even more difficult mission which he would use all of his strength to finish by the appointed time...

The two started to try to one-up each other like this.

In a cave on Flame Volcano.

"Hiss-wooosh!"

A crimson snake of fire jumped on a dragon-shaped longblade. It was extremely lively as though it was continuously tempering the blade's impurities.

Tang Siqi was wearing a thin, red dress with sweat flowing down her forehead. Her eyes flashed with a heart-shaking and beautiful light and her hands continuously moved irregularly while executing a mysterious spiritual art.

That crimson-red snake of fire would turn thick and coil around the longblade and then shrink down to a line of fire to burrow inside the blade.

On the dragon-shaped longblade, a beautiful snake-shaped pattern slowly formed. It caused the longblade to appear grand and extraordinary, like it was filled with a moving intelligence that made one want to grab it and rush into the world.

"Whoosh!"

The crimson-red snake of flames turned into a burning line of fire that suddenly disappeared in Tang Siqi's palm. Her beautiful face became even redder and moving. She looked with satisfaction at the dragon-shaped longblade, smiling and nodding her head.

"Siqi, how has it been recently?" Lian Rou had been standing by the cave entrance for a while. Seeing her finish, Lian Rou walked in. "Have you tamed that Qin Bing?"

"No," replied Tang Siqi as she wiped away the sweat on her forehead. "That guy is a piece of ice. He's like that all the time, and I find it irritating when I see it. I want to beat him up!"

"But you... seem to frequently go to his place?" Lian Rou teased.

"His work is good." Tang Siqi walked over to the cave entrance. Under the red light of the sunset, she looked at the stone towers at the base of Flame Volcano and then looked specifically at Qin Lie's tower. An odd look came into her eyes. "I've never seen someone as concentrated as he is. Not just the outer sect disciples, even the senior brothers of the inner sect... are not as good as him in some areas."

"What do you mean?" Lian Rou stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her, and her gaze landed on Yi Yuan's tower. "He's good at his work?"

"Look at this Dragonhorn Rhinoceros horn..." Tang Siqi picked up a rhinoceros horn the length of her arm and handed it to Lian Rou.

Lian Rou felt it with her fingers and picked up on the smoothness of the dragonhorn's surface, feeling the elegant curve, and then touched the sharpness of the horn's tip. "Very good. Even if I'm was the one sanding it, I may not be able to do it in such a beautiful fashion."

Tang Siqi nodded and then said, "Six Dragonhorn Rhinoceros horns, ten days. He can sand it to this quality. I don't even need to prepare it a second time and can immediately use it as the primary material for the 'Soul Breaking Spear.' It has saved me a great amount of effort."

"Six horns, ten days, all of them are of this quality?" asked Lian Rou in shock.

"Yes, all of them like this." A strange expression came into Tang Siqi's eyes as she looked down at the stone tower-one of admiration.

"You really picked up a treasure. This Qin Bing really has been of great help to you." Lian Rou was moved and then she grit her teeth and said in frustration, "Yi Yuan is an idiot. What he produces is not so detailed. When I get it, I need to redo it."

"Yi Yuan is the same as Pang Feng, he doesn't have any interest in forging. He is here solely for the position of outer sect elder." Tang Siqi thought and then said, "That Qin Bing isn't the same. He really came here to learn forging. I increasingly feel... that he has not come for me. Maybe we have misunderstood him."

"Siqi, are you wavering?" Lian Rou stilled and then shouted, "If you have this kind of thought, then you really have fallen for the trap! I admit that this guy might truly like artifact forging and is very focused on his work, but this should just be another one of his tactics! He first got you to dislike him so you would choose him. Then, he would use his great performance to get you to slowly change your opinion and have you treat him differently."

Lian Rou felt it was more likely the more she thought about it. When she got to the end, her expression suddenly became grave. "This Qin Bing is really a powerful person. Compared to him, your past suitors aren't even on the same level! Siqi, you have to be careful. Do not get enchanted, otherwise, he will entrap you!"

"Is it really like this?"

After Lian Rou said this, Tang Siqi wavered as well. She felt that the words were reasonable and could not figure out if her feelings were right or if Lian Rou's judgment was correct.

Chapter 139: Eclipse Insect

"Shaoyang, this is what you're looking for."

When the night had fallen, Yin Hao sneakily visited Liang Shaoyang's stone tower. He carefully took out a jade box before placing it at a table inside.

A thin, silver light appeared in Liang Shaoyang's eyes. He extended a hand to lift the jade box, bowed his head, and looked at it once before nodding, "Thank you, senior brother."

"You're welcome. Hehe, I am in debt to the Tower Lord, and the reason I was able to enter Armament Sect and become an inner sect disciple... was all arranged by the Tower Lord a long time ago." Yin Hao's smile was one of flattery. "I simply hope that Shaoyang can accomplish the Tower Lord's exhortation and become a powerful ally for Dark Shadow Tower so Dark Shadow Tower can increase its strength many times over."

"I will do my best," replied Liang Shaoyang.

Yin Hao smiled and did not say anything else. After bidding farewell, he avoided every area that might have human activity and took a small route back to the cave at Flame Volcano.

"Qin Bing..."

Holding the jade box, the corner of Liang Shaoyang's lips curled gruesomely as he sneered twice in a low voice.

At the beginning he did not want to come to Armament Sect and was very much against his father's arrangements.

However, for the sake of the greater good and Dark Shadow Tower's future, he still came over.

When he saw Tang Siqi for the first time, was approached by her, and when she whispered softly from behind him, suddenly, he was no longer against his father's arrangements.

-He had truly fallen for Tang Siqi.

Once he was moved, Liang Shaoyang became incredibly serious. In his mind, he had believed that Tang Siqi would definitely choose him as his assistant, and naturally, he would have the chance to interact with her in the future. He would slowly impress her with his own charisma, win her heart, and smoothly complete his father's instructions.

But his well thought-out plan was cruelly destroyed by Qin Lie...

Qin Lie had suddenly come out, ignited Tang Siqi's clothes, and caused her to grow angry with embarrassment. Therefore, she had chosen Qin Lie out of spite and destroyed his plans.

Naturally, he thought that Qin Lie's many methods were all to attract Tang Siqi's attention... and they were very successful too.

"No matter what kind of background you have, you are just deluding yourself if you think to challenge me over a woman." Liang Shaoyang looked to the night sky, and after waiting for a while, he fleeted out like a the shadow of a night's ghost and flashed a couple of times before vanishing without a trace.

Inside Qin Lie's stone tower, there were "crack, crack" sounds coming out from inside.

Qin Lie was grinding Dragon Bone Jades in the small workshop inside the tower, focusing on polishing their rough stone surfaces until they were smooth. He was completely indifferent about the noises on the outside world.

He seemed to hear some soft footsteps passing by the front of his tower, but he did not think much of it and continued to place all of his focus on the Dragon Bone Jade in his hands.

He knew that there were many new outer sect disciples who could not stop looking at the twelve spirit pattern pillar, and there were also some who thought that the spirit pillars might cause something magical under the moonlight, thus making it easier to cause a reaction.

Therefore, there were often people staying under the spirit pattern pillar during the middle of the night. They would spend the entire night without sleep, attempting to learn the wonders of the spirit patterns They hoped that, one day, they would rise to the heavens and enter the inner sect, becoming a genius in the eyes of all the important leaders of the sects and be cultivated as a potential candidate for the position sect master.

That was why there were always noise outside, even during the middle of the night.

He had gotten used to it long ago.

Time passed quietly, and gradually, Qin Lie felt that his legs were a bit tingly and stiff...

He had thought that he sat for too long without paying much attention to it. He was still polishing the Dragon Bone Jade.

Around midnight, that tingly feeling spread out and caused his arms to become more and more uncomfortable.

Even his head seemed to be murky, and it was hard to even think of a problem. His entire person turned dazed as sleepiness rushed over him like sea waves.

Before his consciousness had blurred, he saw a few worms about the size soybeans on his arms and legs. He didn't know when they had gotten on him.

He felt that his body was growing stiffer and stiffer and felt tingly all over without the slightest bit of strength. He couldn't even move a finger.

His eyelids were also growing heavier and heavier. He wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep to his heart's content.

"Qin Bing, it's time for you to deliver the goods again. How is it?" It was still early in the morning, but Tang Siqi was already crying out in front of Qin Lie's stone tower.

Today, she had changed to a dark-red, tight suit with her long hair tied into a ponytail. She appeared heroic and valiant; it was yet another taste of her youthful charm.

"Good morning Senior Sister Tang!"

"Senior Sister Tang, you came down from the mountains this early today?"

"Have you eaten already, Senior Sister Tang?"

There were a lot of outer sect disciples on the way to the dining hall, and seeing that she was standing in front of Qin Lie's stone tower, they all greeted her with flattering looks.

"Move aside." Seeing that some of them had gathered over, Tang Siqi waved her hands impatiently, "Qin Bing, are you in there or not?"

Hearing no voice from the inside, Tang Siqi did not care for pleasantries as she pushed open the stone door without reserve and openly barged inside.

-She usually did this on a regular basis.

Because it was now morning, she was afraid that Qin Lie would not be clothed properly and would thus humiliate her eyes. That was why she yelled out a few times before to test the waters.

When she pushed open the door, she saw Qin Lie collapsed on a floor covered in jade scraps. His left hand was still holding Dragon Bone Jade.

"Ah!" Tang Siqi cried out in surprise and quickly rushed over. She then discovered that Qin Lie's entire body was dark green in color, and his eyes were narrowed into slits. It was as if he was trying his best to open them but could not do so no matter what.

"Eclipse Insects!"

Gazing around carefully, she finally saw the few small beetles sucking on Qin Lie's arms and thighs. Then, a trace of horror appeared on her beautiful face.

"Lian Rou!" Her expression was extremely serious as she cried out in the direction of the front yard.

Lian Rou, who had gone down the mountain with her was ready to go to ask about something at Tong Jihua's place, but when she heard Tang Siqi's cries, she quickly turned around and rushed over like the wind. "Siqi, what are you yelling for?"

"Qin Bing has been bitten by Eclipse Insects!" Tang Siqi cried out with urgency in her eyes, "Why would there suddenly be Eclipse Insects inside his house?"

"Eclipse Insects?!" Lian Rou's expression had also immediately turned as she closed in and stared at Qin Lie's face and chest for a while. Her gaze grew sterner and sterner. "This is very bad! The poison has seeped into his heart and face, his brain should have been affected as well."

"What should we do?" Tang Siqi panicked, "I don't even have knowledge about poisonous insects or detoxification and I know the Eclipse Insect is incredibly scary. The moment someone contracts the Eclipse Insect's poison, it will become very troublesome. Am I right?"

"The poison of the Eclipse Insects can paralyze the flesh, nerves, and thoughts, causing all of them to lose mobility one bit at a time. The person's entire body would turn stiff and weak before they finally fall into a deep coma and die. This is a very slow process. If it isn't detected early, when the poison has seeped into their heart and face... then it will be incredibly hard to treat them."

Lian Rou looked to Qin Lie and suddenly let out a quiet sigh. She shook her head and said, "He is probably a goner already."

"I-isn't your family from the southern region, aren't you very good at detoxification? Can't you think of a way?" Tang Siqi urgently asked.

"If this was discovered during the night then I could still treat him. But now... it's too late." Lian Rou looked a little helpless. "Eclipse Insects will not appear out of nowhere. This poisonous insect only lives in a few specific poisonous swamps in the southern region, and once they leave those places they would die shortly after unless they were raised inside a special container."

While she was speaking, many outer sect disciples had gathered over and poked their heads into the house.

Lian Rou paused for a moment, suddenly looked towards those people outside the house and said softly, "Someone was planning to harm him and wanted him dead. That was why they had used the Eclipse Insect to poison him."

"Out of the way!" Yi Yuan's yell suddenly could be heard from the front.

He had just finished eating in the dining hall. When he had heard the commotion here, he frowned and pushed away the people blocking the front of the door and rushed into the stone tower. He even shut the stone door immediately upon entering.

"What are you doing, Yi Yuan?" Tang Siqi glared at him angrily. "Seek out Elder Tong immediately and tell him about this matter. Get him to figure out a way, now!"

"None of the elders of the outer sect have any achievements in detoxification. They are only good at fighting, and that includes elder Tong and all other outer sect elders." Once Yi Yuan had entered the room he stared directly at Lian Rou. "There are only three people who have studied poison and poisonous insects. The sect master, elder Mo Hai from the inner sect, and you."

"But right now, the sect master has secluded himself for artifact forging, and elder Mo Hai is outside the sect and probably cannot return on such short notice. Therefore, you are the only one who can help Qin Bing. No one else will be of any use." His expression was serious as he continued, "According to my knowledge, the sect master and elder Mo Hai have taught you many things regarding poison and poisonous insects."

"How do you know me so well?" Lian Rou was incredibly surprised.

Gentleness appeared inside Yi Yuan's eyes as he softly said, "Since five years ago, when you left Purple Mist Sea, I have spent money to learn everything about you such as your hobbies, your cultivation realm..."

"You are a madman!" Lian Rou spat out in a curse.

Yi Yuan smiled slightly. "It doesn't matter. I have made up my mind that you are the one for me, so matter where you go, I will follow you until the end."

"You two!" Tang Siqi stomped her feet and cried out urgently.

"Siqi, I told you, we've come too late. The Eclipse Insect's poison has already seeped into his heart and brain. Even if I want to treat him, it will be very, very difficult." Lian Rou returned to the topic and said with an expression of helplessness, "If I am to treat him, I will need to refine a special poison liquid, but that takes time, and by the time I make it, the Eclipse Insect's poison would've already killed him. It's not possible."

"Then there is no choice." Yi Yuan let out a sigh after listening to Lian Rou's explanation. He walked beside Qin Lie, crouched, and said, "Brother Qin, your eyes aren't completely closed yet, so I know you can still hear me. Hmm, I really want to help you, but unfortunately, I really can't do anything. I will try and look for the culprit who used the Eclipse Insects, and if he is easy to deal with ,then I'll kill him for you. But if he is as strong as Pang Feng, then I won't stake my life for you either. I hope you understand."

He only had some admiration for Qin Lie, and their friendship was nowhere close to the point where he would be willing to die for him. He didn't mind helping him a little here and there, but it really wasn't too... realistic to expect him to put his life on the line for Qin Lie.

-This was because their relationship wasn't deep enough yet.

"If you have any last words, then say them to him before he completely closes his eyes." Lian Rou looked at Tang Siqi.

"Is there really no other way?" Tang Siqi asked again.

Lian Rou shook her head.

Therefore, Tang Siqi walked to Qin Lie's side and pursed her lips in thought before quietly whispering, "It doesn't matter whether if you've purposely used a despicable method to attract my attention, or whether if you've come to Armament Sect for me. I want to tell you that you have both the potential and talent to become a true artificer. For the past few months, the spirit materials that you've grinded is the best I've ever used. Some of them were even better than the ones I made myself."

"Senior Sister Tang, he's about to pass away. Can't you say something nicer?" Yi Yuan suddenly interrupted.

"What, nicer?" Tang Siqi turned her head with confusion in her eyes. "Is what I'm saying now not nice enough? I'm telling him that he's actually a pretty competent man and that he can actually become an extraordinary artificer. If this isn't nice enough, then what is?"

"Brother Qin had done everything for your sake, and his death... is probably for your sake as well." Yi Yuan narrowed his eyes. "The one who killed him was worried that he could truly touch your heart which is why they wanted him dead in the first place. He came to Armament Sect for you and grinded spirit materials with his heart for you, and now, he has even died for you. Are you telling me that you are not touched at all?"

"Touched? Now that you mention it..." Tang Siqi was stunned. She prettily frowned, then thought for a moment before finally nodding slightly. She herself was not certain as she whispered in a low tone, "Maybe... maybe I am a little touched by him. I don't know, I don't know myself..."

While she was speaking, a bone chilling coldness suddenly spread out from Qin Lie's body in the form of frost mist, tightly covering his entire body!

From the moment he saw the Eclipse Insect, Qin Lie had been summoning the frost energy inside his frost ball Natal Palaces, and now, he had finally summoned them it in its entirety!

Under Lian Rou and Yi Yuan's surprised gazes and while Tang Siqi was still muttering, Qin Lie's body was swiftly frozen and quickly sealed inside an ice crystal, turning into a crystalline ice sculpture.

The poison of the Eclipse Insects was also frozen, and it could no longer spread even a single millimeter!

"This frost..." Yi Yuan suddenly touched Qin Lie's chest and immediately discovered that frost had appeared on his fingers. He shivered once before yelling in a low tone, "There's still hope! Brother Qin can still be saved! This frost can definitely stop the poison from spreading! Before he unfreezes, Brother Qin can definitely preserve his current condition!"

"Then I can save him!" Lian Rou's expression shook.

Chapter 140: Whispers

Using the frost energy and freezing himself inside solid ice, Qin Lie stopped the Eclipse Insect's poison from invading him.

From the moment he saw the Eclipse Insects and felt his head grow heavier and heavier, he already noticed that it wasn't good. But still he was one step too slow and could not immediately stop the poison from spreading.

When he had stopped grinding the Dragon Bone Jade and used all his power to resist the poison's invasion, it was already too late.

His legs, his nerves, his bones, and even the flow of his blood had become slow and weak due to the spreading poison. He quickly lost all control of his body.

Luckily, his countless attempts to incite the frost energy in his Natal Palace had finally succeeded at the most critical moment, and they instantly spilled out of his two ice ball Natal Palaces.

At this moment he had withdrawn his soul consciousness, little by little, into the Soul Suppressing Orb and was in the state of Thoughtless Tranquility. He had let the Soul Suppressing Orb wrap around his soul while listening to the trio, Tang Siqi, Yi Yuan and Lian Rou, speak.

"I'll go and refine the concoction first." Seeing that Qin Lie had frozen himself, Lian Rou instantly calmed down. "As long as his current condition can be preserved, once I refine the concoction and splash it all over his body, allowing it to seep slowly into his body... then the Eclipse Insect's poison will be neutralized."

Yi Yuan suddenly extended a head and picked up the Eclipse Insects on Qin Lie's body one after another. He brought them close to his eyes and closely examined them. "So this is how an Eclipse Insect looks? I heard that these poisonous insects are quite impressive, but I've never actually seen one before."

"Don't get yourself poisoned." Just as Tang Siqi relaxed, she saw Yi Yuan pick up the Eclipse Insects and couldn't help but retreat a few steps in fear, putting some distance between Yi Yuan and herself.

"There's no need to be afraid Senior Sister Tang. I may have not seen Eclipse Insects before, but I do have some level of understanding regarding these poisonous insects." Yi Yuan smiled coolly. "An Eclipse Insect's poison is its essence, its brain, its life. Once they spit out their poison, then their life is gone, so there's no way they can survive."

Seeing that Tang Siqi had calmed down, Yi Yuan continued, "Plus, Brother Qin had frozen himself with extreme cold. That coldness is so terrifying that even I... find it a little unbearable. How do you think these few poisonous bugs will fare? Even if they aren't dead, they would've frozen to death now. How can they possibly still harm anyone?"

"Is that how it is?" Tang Siqi did not believe Yi Yuan. She was only looking at Lian Rou.

Lian Rou also nodded. "This Yi Yuan is crazy, but he isn't stupid. Everything he said is the truth. The Eclipse Insect's poison is their essence, Once it has been spat out, they will die."

Hearing her praise, Yi Yuan's face was filled with a smile and a triumphant look.

"I need to go back to the cave at Flame Volcano to refine the concoction. I'll leave this place to you two." Lian Rou herself knew that every second counted. "Whoever wants to kill Qin Bing must be watching still. It will be best if at least one of you can stay here and prevent whoever that is from hurting Qin Bing while he is still frozen."

Tang Siqi's eyes shone with a brilliant sparkle, and after she calmed down, she recovered her usual cunning. "Let's say that Qin Bing is dead!"

She looked at Lian Rou and snorted coldly. "We'll go out together and leave Yi Yuan to take care of Qin Bing. Whoever wants him dead must be watching from the crowd outside to confirm that Qin Bing is truly dead. I'll go and talk with Elder Tong and have him investigate a little to see who has asked about Eclipse Insects or who just returned from the south..."

"Good idea," Yi Yuan praised. "If we say Qin Bing is dead, then maybe that certain someone will let his guard down and reveal himself."

After the trio summed up their plans softly inside the stone tower, Yi Yuan continued to stay beside Qin Lie and leaving Tang Siqi and Lian Rou to open the door and proceed with the plan.

There were many heads outside the stone door. Many outer and inner sect disciples had heard of the news and arrived, and they were all gathered at the entrance stretching their necks to look over.

Pang Feng, Tian Jianhao, Liang Shaoyang, and Yin Hao were also among the crowd. Even Ouyang Jingjing, who was cultivating quietly beneath the spirit pattern pillars had paid attention to the commotion.

"Siqi, it's too late to save him. The poison has entered his head and no one can treat him now." Once she walked out, Lian Rou softly sighed, her eyes filled with helplessness.

An expression of regret also appeared on Tang Siqi's beautiful face. "Never mind then. We can only do our best. If we really can't save him, then that is his fate."

While speaking, Lian Rou and Tang Siqi looked at the crowd and observed the outer and inner sect disciples that had gathered.

"I'll go back first." After watching for a while, Lian Rou asked the onlookers to split up so she could head on her own to Flame Volcano.

Tang Siqi closed the stone door behind her back and frowned. "He's gone, so let him enjoy some peace and quiet. Go back and do your own things. I will explain the matter to Elder Tong and have him drag out the bastard who dared to use Eclipse Insects to harm the people of his own sect!" Her eyes were fierce as she glanced severely towards Liang Shaoyang, Tian Jianhao, and the others.

Tian Jianhao and Liang Shaoyang's expressions remained the same. There was nothing odd to be found, nor did they let slip anything through their body language.

Then, she too left the stone tower and went to the front yard to look for Tong Jihua. "Uncle Tong, that Qin Bing had been bitten by Eclipse Insects. Someone is trying to kill him."

At the front yard, inside an Armament Sect outer sect cultivation room, Tang Siqi briefly explained the situation.

"Qin Bing sealed himself with frost energy so the Eclipse Insect's poison could not continue to spread. Lian Rou said that she can treat him, so I left Yi Yuan back there just in case." Tang Siqi did not hide anything from Tong Jihua. "Lian Rou and I have told the people outside that Qin Bing has passed away, hoping that the culprit would let his guard down and slip up."

Tong Jihua listened with a dark face. "It has only been a few months and something like that has already happened. To kill the people of his own sect with Eclipse Insects, the murderer must not be someone ordinary to act in such a ruthless and diabolical manner."

"Lian Rou deduced that... the murderer may be worried that I was too close with Qin Bing which was why they killed him," said Tang Siqi as she bowed her head.

"Mn, I know. You don't need to think about it." Tong Jihua nodded and consoled her a little before continuing, "Since the matter happened at outer sect, naturally, I am responsible. I will begin an investigation on the Eclipse Insect's origin, and I hope to find out who has asked looking for information about the Eclipse Insects and who just returned from the south as of late."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Tong."

"You don't have to thank me, this is my duty after all. I'll contact you when I have more information."

"Okay. I'll be leaving then."

......

"Shaoyang, what are you frowning about? Isn't that Qin Bing dead already?" Yin Hao asked in surprise.

Inside Liang Shaoyang's stone tower. The man scowled, and the brutal light in his eyes did not disappear. "Not necessarily. I have grown up in Dark Shadow Tower, and there is one thing that my father told me that I will always remember in my heart-without seeing the body with my own eyes and checking it myself, I must never assume that my target is dead!"

"Although the Eclipse Insect's poison spreads slowly, it is extremely terrifying. If he was poisoned at midnight, then it will have spread throughout his entire body by morning, and once it enters the brain, it basically becomes a hopeless situation." Yin Hao estimated inside his heart, "According to the time, there is no doubt the poison must have entered his brain. And now, yet another hour has passed, so he is guaranteed to be dead."

"Theoretically, that is true, but there is always a chance." Liang Shaoyang's eyebrows were tightly locked as he tapped the table repeatedly with his finger. Suddenly, he asked, "How did you acquire the Eclipse Insect?"

"I bought it from an outer sect foreign delegate. He had previously visited the southern swamps to look for medicine. He caught these Eclipse Insects on his way back." Yin Hao had realized Liang Shaoyang's carefulness as his own face turned serious. "An outer sect foreign delegate normally would not operate inside the sect. My dealings with him was also outside the city, so it shouldn't be discovered by anyone."

"There is always a chance, and this 'chance' is what I hate the most!" A ruthless light shone out of Liang Shaoyang's eyes as he said in a low tone, "Scrub it clean."

Watching him, Yin Hao felt chilled at the bottom of his heart as he nodded lightly, "I'll get it done right away." With an expression of fearful respect, he retreated. Once he exited the stone tower, he felt that his own back was drenched in sweat.

He knew Shaoyang. He knew that if he didn't deal with the matter appropriately and allowed people to connect the matter of Eclipse Insect with him, then in order to prevent suspicion from falling onto himself, Liang Shaoyang would definitely act beforehand-he would kill him as well.

Therefore, in order to avoid Liang Shaoyang's murderous intent to fall on himself, he had no choice but to take care of that outer sect foreign delegate as soon as possible.

......

Brother Qin, the target you're chasing is far too bright which is why your path is filled with danger. Heh, I have my work cut out for me since Lian Rou is pretty average in most people's eyes, and since she is always together with Senior Sister Tang, she appears even less obvious, so my competitors are truly far and few."

Yi Yuan moved a chair over and sat right beside Qin Lie, talking randomly.

"But this incident changed my impression about Senior Sister Tang too. I didn't expect that she actually has a good heart. I thought that when she found out that you were poisoned she would gloat about it and feel relieved on the inside. She has quarreled with you so many times, and every time she came over, she would walk in with a cold mask before exiting with burning rage. Heh! I even thought that she couldn't wait for you to die..."

"Brother Qin, I can see that your cultivation is at the early stage of the Natal Opening Realm. But that icy aura that you released from your body... is truly extraordinary. I've only seen you fight against Tian Jianhao once and nothing else after that, but I can feel that your true strength isn't weak. Plus, I have no idea about your background either, so I'm slightly curious about you, you know?"

While Qin Lie was in the state of Thoughtless Tranquility-perhaps he was bored-Yi Yuan spoke rather casually and talked to himself.

Qin Lie could neither move nor talk. His soul consciousness was shrunk inside the Soul Suppressing Orb, and he could only listen passively to Yi Yuan's nonsense.

Sometime in the afternoon, Tang Siqi walked in. "Yi Yuan, go get something to eat. I've eaten already, so I came here to switch shifts with you."

"What did Elder Tong say?" Yi Yuan asked.

"He said that he will do his best to investigate the matter," replied Tang Siqi .

Yi Yuan nodded, "I do believe in Elder Tong's abilities. Alright, I'll go out to eat and will be back in an hour." Once he finished, he exited the stone tower and shut the stone door tightly.

At this time, the fact that Qin Lie had died from the Eclipse Insect had already been spread outside. Many outer and inner sect disciples had already heard about it.

It was also why no one continued to gather and obstruct the door to watch. They had all gone back to busying themselves.

Tang Siqi sat on the chair Yi Yuan had left behind and turned her head to look at the frozen Qin Lie. This was the first time she looked at him seriously. "When you don't speak and don't put on an ugly face, you actually look quite good. Just like how you're still acceptable when you can't move right now and your consciousness is frozen..."

She had assumed that Qin Lie had lost consciousness and sealed off everything. Suddenly, she walked beside Qin Lie, leaned down, and stared at Qin Lie's face. She even carefully stroked his face before withdrawing her jade-like finger with a shiver, muttering to herself, "This guy, I wonder what kind of spirit art he's cultivating. So cold..."

After a while, her beautiful eyes began to lose focus as she stared at Qin Lie and all of a sudden whispered, "Did you really come for me? Have you done everything to get me to notice you? To make me pay attention to you? Just who are you? I don't know you, and I've also never seen you before..."