Atop the cliffs of Qingquan Peak, just as dawn broke, casting a single ray of light, Ye Qin sat upon a boulder near the secluded manor. Having completed his morning cultivation exercises, he retrieved a copy of the Art of Artifact Refining and began to peruse its pages with rapt attention.

The entirety of Qingquan Peak lay shrouded in profound silence, broken only by the rustling leaves of ancient, towering trees.

Moments later, Ye Qin finished the final page and closed his eyes in deep contemplation.

With a mere gesture, a palm-sized, heavy ingot of Fire Copper floated suspended before him. This ingot was the result of refining raw Fire Copper Stone with Yang Fire, requiring tons of the raw material and the removal of vast amounts of slag to yield such a small, precious piece.

This was the essential copper material for forging Fire-elemental spirit artifacts. Naturally, Ye Qin had not refined this ingot himself; he had purchased it from a disciple in the Qi Refining stage.

Ye Qin concentrated, and a thumb-sized flame sparked above his palm. An intense, scorching heat immediately radiated outward, causing the grasses and trees within several dozen feet to instantly ignite and burn fiercely, disintegrating into ash that vanished upon the mountain breeze.

He guided the copper ingot with one hand and tossed it into the flame.

The moment the Fire Copper ingot touched the flame, it began to melt under the intense heat into a sphere of molten metal, slowly rotating. Soon, unable to withstand the fierce intensity of the Innate True Fire, it started to boil and burn. Most of the slag from the palm-sized ingot was again incinerated by the Innate True Fire, leaving behind only a minuscule amount of Fire Copper Essence.

This step was crucial in artifact refinement; only by purging as much slag as possible from the raw material could the resulting spirit artifact achieve a higher quality.

Once no more slag could be refined from the ingot, Ye Qin retrieved a second Fire Copper ingot and cast it into the flames. He continuously added dozens of ingots until all had been transmuted into high-purity Fire Copper Essence.

Seeing that he had gathered enough, Ye Qin rapidly executed a series of Artifact Refining hand seals, merging the liquid Fire Copper Essence together as it floated in the air. After casting several more seals, he began to mold it into a fixed shape.

The rudimentary form of a short sword trembled within the intense heat, gradually taking shape.

Time passed by, marked only by the fine beads of sweat that materialized on Ye Qin’s brow. Yet, he dared not relax his focus; the short sword was far from complete. At this stage, it was merely a rough blank.

After the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, the short sword had largely taken form, glowing with a soft, golden-copper light across its entire surface.

At this point, the short sword could already be considered a Fire Copper Spirit Sword, one that would fetch a considerable number of spirit stones if sold.

However, Ye Qin did not cease his work.

He extended his right index finger, unleashing an exceedingly faint stream of Sword Qi that shot toward the blade. The Sword Qi struck the sides of the Fire Copper Sword with incredible speed, carving minute, intricate arrays onto each surface.

These blade arrays typically possessed minimal intrinsic power, serving only auxiliary functions. For instance, a Wind-elemental Easing Array could be placed to reduce the sword’s weight, or a Fire-elemental Array could enable the spirit sword to automatically unleash low-tier fire spells against enemies upon use. A slot was left on the hilt for embedding a spirit stone to activate the blade arrays.

An hour later.

A simple, hand-sized, low-tier Fire Copper Spirit Sword was finally complete.

Ye Qin wiped the sweat from his face and lovingly turned the newly forged Fire Copper Sword over in his hands. After studying artifact refining under Senior Brother Ge for over half a year, he could now manufacture common spirit artifacts.

Fire Copper was the easiest material to refine. Once his skill in the art became more proficient, his chances of successfully forging the Southern Bright Departing Fire Sword in the future would also increase.

He had just finished the Fire Copper Spirit Sword and was admiring it when, suddenly, a faint golden light shot toward him—swoosh—from the distant mountain range.

Ye Qin’s gaze sharpened, and he reached out, catching the subtle golden beam. It was a Golden Hundred-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman. A trace of warmth finally softened his usually composed expression: it was from Bing'er.

Speaking of these sound transmission talismans, he could not help but marvel at the Blood-Binding Soul Mark. This secret art was extraordinarily potent; once the soul imprint was established, the connection between dual cultivation partners became intensely strong. Furthermore, this was an induction between Nascent Souls, virtually unstoppable by any known means.

As soon as he returned to the Azure Pill Sect, he could sense Bing'er’s Nascent Soul aura.

Bing'er, of course, could also sense his presence. The transmission talisman soon arrived, relaying every small detail of the past three years. She had always believed he would return alive. She was currently in secluded meditation within the mountain chambers of Azure Pill Peak, strictly forbidden from leaving by her father, Huangfu Yan, so she could not seek him out.

Ye Qin had no intention of storming Huangfu Bing'er’s meditation chamber. Whether it was Martial Uncle Chen Min or Martial Uncle Huangfu, with his current meager strength, he possessed no right whatsoever to stand before them.

Ye Qin held the Golden Sound Transmission Talisman, remaining silent for a long while before finally managing a wry, helpless smile.

In the Cultivation World, the hierarchy of status and power was incredibly rigid.

Between high-level and low-level cultivators, the latter could only ever look up to the former. Between large and small cultivation families, the minor ones could only flatter and appease. Between cultivation families and rogue cultivators, the latter often had to yield rather than contend.

A tenacious and hard barrier existed between cultivators of differing statuses and identities.

Major cultivation families looked upon cultivators of common birth with immense disdain, rarely deigning to associate with them, let alone engage in marriage alliances.

Ancient sects like the Azure Pill Sect placed even greater emphasis on cultivation strength, status, and standing. If Ye Qin were not currently a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he likely wouldn't even have the right to occupy a mere stone on Qingquan Peak.

The Huangfu family was the preeminent family within the Azure Pill Sect, holding immense prestige. His union with Bing'er was a private pledge, one that absolutely could not be made public. Otherwise, the Huangfu Ancestor would likely be the first to strike him down, lest the Huangfu family suffer ridicule throughout the Cultivation World.

Ye Qin was no longer that impulsive, hot-blooded youth who would recklessly clash with the strict order of the Cultivation World.

Receiving Bing'er’s long-distance transmission and knowing she was safe was enough to bring him peace.

Until he possessed sufficient strength to be worthy of the Huangfu family’s standing, he could only choose forbearance, silently accumulating power. To do otherwise would not only bring disaster upon himself but also implicate Bing'er.

With Huangfu Bing'er’s ice-clear intelligence, she naturally understood this. Although Azure Pill Peak and Qingquan Peak faced each other across a mountain, she could only suppress the urge to meet, diligently cultivating in her secluded chamber on Azure Pill Peak, communicating only occasionally via transmission talismans. Should she slip up even once, Ye Qin would face mortal peril.

“Who?”

As Ye Qin pondered, clutching Huangfu Bing'er’s golden talisman, his heart suddenly tightened, and he barked a cold challenge. He did not turn around; he could sense a familiar aura approaching.

“Martial Uncle, it is me!”

Peng Dan lightly flew to a spot several dozen feet behind Ye Qin. Gazing at him sitting alone on the cliff face, she felt an indescribable reverence well up within her. Martial Uncle Ye, barely in his early twenties, was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet he remained so diligent. For the past half-year, nearly every day had been dedicated to cultivation, with virtually no observable rest. Such resolute diligence was rare even among cultivators.

Ye Qin said coolly, “Did I not instruct you not to disturb me casually?”

Peng Dan bowed respectfully, “The Sect Master sent a disciple clad in blue to deliver a message, requesting that Martial Uncle proceed to the Grand Purple Gold Hall. The blue-robed disciple mentioned that the Sect Master intends to arrange Martial Uncle’s experience trip down the mountain.”

Ye Qin made an 'oh' sound and nodded. The Sect Master had mentioned this before; every disciple, upon successfully establishing their Foundation, must spend a period gaining experience outside the sect.

It was just that there had been too few newly established Foundation cultivators until recently, so he had not been dispatched immediately. He had heard a few days ago that another disciple, surnamed Zhu, had reached Foundation Establishment, bringing the count up to three or four newly advanced Foundation cultivators—it was time for them to descend the mountain for their trials.

Ye Qin dismissed Peng Dan, flicked his hand, and cast out a flying sword artifact, which transformed into a ten-foot rainbow streak. He mounted the sword and sped toward Azure Pill Peak. In moments, he arrived at the square of Azure Pill Peak, dismounted, and proceeded toward the Grand Purple Gold Hall.

This complex of halls, the Grand Purple Gold Hall, exuded an imposing and magnificent aura, constructed like immortal palaces atop the peak of Azure Pill Mountain. This vast complex, expanded over ten thousand years, layered upon itself, breathtakingly beautiful, far beyond the imagination of mortal men. Every time Ye Qin arrived here, he could not help but feel profoundly shaken.

The blue-robed disciples stationed before the Grand Purple Gold Hall bowed and ushered him inside.

Led by the blue-robed disciples, Ye Qin stepped into the cavernously spacious and empty Grand Purple Gold Hall. To his surprise, besides Sect Master Wu, several high-ranking cultivators, including Elder Yan the Great, were gathered, murmuring and discussing something.

Moreover, there were three male and female cultivators, all at the first layer of Foundation Establishment, appearing spirited and full of vigor. What nearly shocked him was recognizing one of them—Yan Xuan.

Ye Qin understood: these three were the cultivators who had reached Foundation Establishment in the last six months, and he would be undertaking the expedition with them.

Ye Qin only spared a cursory glance for the other two. One was a tall, slender young cultivator in his twenties, bearing an air of arrogance. The other was a cultivator in his thirties, fair and plump, slightly portly.

Ye Qin noted their appearances before turning to Sect Master Wu and Elder Yan, offering a respectful salute.

Sect Master Wu chuckled heartily, “Junior Brother Ye, you’ve arrived at the perfect moment! These three are Junior Brother Zhu Changyun, Junior Brother Lü Yuan, and Junior Sister Yan Xuan. Three of you successfully established your Foundation in the latter half of this year in our Azure Pill Sect. Yan Xuan reached Foundation Establishment last year but has not yet descended the mountain for experience. This trial will be undertaken by the four of you together.”

Ye Qin nodded, smiling faintly as he returned the salutes to his fellow companions.

The three junior siblings displayed varied expressions. Zhu Changyun was indifferent, while Lü Yuan returned the gesture with a deferential smile. The most peculiar expression belonged to Yan Xuan; she playfully winked at Ye Qin but dared not let out the laugh that threatened to surface when she saw his look of surprise.

In the solemn atmosphere of the Grand Purple Gold Hall, Ye Qin pretended not to notice.

After Sect Master Wu introduced them to one another, he dropped his smile and stated seriously, “You should all know that after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, our disciples must leave the sect to travel the Central Continent for at least three years. However, the trials set by our Azure Pill Sect are not aimless wanderings. Each mission involves searching for spirit stones, mineral veins, rare medicinal herbs, blessed lands, and so on, in the nations surrounding the Spirit Mist Mountain Range, while simultaneously gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Central Continent.

Your destination for this expedition is the Qi State in the North. The Lü cultivation family of the Qi State discovered a small spirit stone mine near their border. However, the Zhou cultivation family of the Zhou State, bordering the Qi State, claims equal ownership of the vein. This has led to intense conflict between the two great cultivation families, resulting in numerous casualties among their cultivators.

Your primary task upon arriving in the Qi State is to ascertain the exact reserves of this spirit stone mine, evaluate its potential worth, and investigate the conflict between the Lü and Zhou families—specifically, whether the Lü family requires support. If the situation is urgent, you may transmit the circumstances directly back to the sect using a Ten-Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, and the sect will consider dispatching aid. ”

Ye Qin listened, slightly taken aback, a doubt immediately arising in his mind. This was a conflict between two major cultivation families in the North Qi and Zhou States—what did it have to do with their Azure Pill Sect?

Lü Yuan, standing next to Ye Qin, noticed his confusion and sent him a secret sound transmission: “Junior Brother Ye, Elder Yan the Great has a marriage alliance with the Lü family of the North Qi. Elder Yan’s legitimate wife, Madam Lü, was born into this great cultivation family, and the Lü family also has Foundation Establishment disciples in the Azure Pill Sect.”

Ye Qin glanced at Lü Yuan, and suddenly, he understood. Cultivation families and sects were connected by countless threads; if a cultivation family faced trouble, the sect naturally intervened.

He stopped overthinking and listened intently as Sect Master Wu explained the situation.

This was not merely a dispute between two major cultivation families; it involved a struggle between cultivation sects. The Lü family had the backing of the Azure Pill Sect, while the Zhou family also had a backer—the Beast Spirit Gate—making the matter somewhat delicate.

Fortunately, the four Foundation Establishment cultivators were only sent to assess the situation, not to seek death.

Sect Master Wu spent a full half-hour detailing the background of the two cultivation families to the quartet before concluding, “You all may return to prepare now. You will descend the mountain in two days and set off for the Qi State in the North.”

“Yes!”

Everyone departed the Grand Purple Gold Hall in turn.

However, Elder Yan left the Grand Purple Gold Hall alongside Ye Qin, Yan Xuan, and Lü Yuan.

Elder Yan walked with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling faintly at Ye Qin, “Junior Brother Ye, advocating for the four of you to go to the Qi State in the North was entirely my suggestion. The Lü family and my Yan family share a marriage bond; on our own people’s territory, it will be easier for you to achieve merits. With sufficient merit, it will be easier to arrange a substantive post for you within the sect in the future.

Furthermore, during your trip to the North Qi, you should consider forging a marriage alliance with the Lü family. Although you hail from a rogue cultivator background, you are already a core disciple of the Azure Pill Sect, and it is time to consider establishing your own lineage. The Lü family has several collateral branches, and many of their female disciples might be suitable. If you find someone to your liking, I can act as your matchmaker. Of course, if you are not interested, establishing your own family independently is also permissible.”

Ye Qin maintained his unchanging, placid smile, nodding slightly, “Thank you for your guidance, Elder Yan. I will consider it carefully!” He knew Elder Yan intended to support him, repaying the favor from three years ago, and even offering to mediate a marriage.

However, he had his own plans. The expedition was one thing, but marrying into the Lü family was out of the question.

Elder Yan was pleased with Ye Qin’s composed and unyielding demeanor, appreciating such bearing. He nodded, then turned back to Lü Yuan, “Ah Yuan, when you return to the North Qi, remember to convey my regards to Clan Head Lü.”

Lü Yuan showed a degree of trepidation toward Elder Yan, ducking his head slightly, and respectfully replied, “Yes, Uncle-in-Law!” (To be continued. For future developments, please visit www**, more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!) First release