Chapter 26: Frostmuster Spirit Liquid
Days passed as the day of the expedition to Green Tooth Mountain approached.
Qin Manor.
In his study, Qin Yun was sitting in front of a desk, practicing calligraphy. His writing was written with vigorous touches and fine strokes. They were forceful like they contained a sword's edge hidden within them but also ethereal like the smoky willows in spring. The calligraphy was excellent, sufficient to make him a first-grade calligrapher. Speaking of which, he had practiced calligraphy back when he was learning to read. However, despite copying many classic texts, his calligraphy remained atrocious.
However, after he began practicing swords, allowing him to reach the Seamless realm, it empowered him to control every bit of energy within him, or even hair perfectly. His calligraphy also turned for the better. Unfortunately, it had form but lacked soul.
Ever since he gained insights into the Misty Rain Sword Intent, his sword intent naturally appeared in his calligraphy. It uplifted his calligraphy. With his text having a soul, he was worthy of being called a calligrapher.
Practicing his calligraphy was a way for Qin Yun to practice his sword.
"This Misty Rain Sword Intent of mine is still inadequate when I want to attack instantly. The sword intent is still not subtle enough." Qin Yun frowned slightly. His every stroke seemed like he was demonstrating a different sword move.
"Second Young Master, Second Young Master. Someone from County Governor Manor has come." A servant rushed over and hurriedly said when he came outside the study.
"County Governor Manor?" Qin Yun lowered his brush and walked outside.
Soon, he saw the guest.
"Brother Qin Yun, Brother Qin Yun. Good news! Good news!" The county governor's son, Wen Chong, was shouting with a laugh from afar. Behind him were two guards.
"Oh, what's the good news?" Qin Yun had a guess and could not help but feel a sense of anticipation.
Wen Chong took out an azure-colored jade bottle mysteriously and whispered, "This is the treasure you want. It wasn't easy for my father to acquire six and a half pounds of it. He had even sought the help from a Connate expert from a Daoist sacred land. Through a great deal of effort, that Connate expert finally managed to obtain this. It really wasn't easy. As for the remaining Frostmuster Spirit Liquid, they will be gathered within a month after your return from Green Tooth Mountain."
Qin Yun took it over. It was ice-cold to the touch. He could not help but say joyfully, "Great. I know that Frostmuster Spirit Liquid isn't easy to come by. Please help me thank the county governor."
"It's enough as long as you go to Green Tooth Mountain and obtain the spirit fruit," said Wen Chong with a smile.
"Don't worry. I will definitely do my best when I go to Green Tooth Mountain," Qin Yun said immediately.
"Then, I won't be disturbing you any further." Wen Chong said with a smile, "Remember, it will be the morning the day after tomorrow. I'll see you at County Governor Manor."
"Sure thing." Qin Yun nodded. It was the time that they were scheduled to set off.
After Wen Chong left, Qin Yun immediately instructed that no one was to disturb him. He entered his room and closed the door.
Inside his room.
Qin Yun sat cross-legged on his bed. Holding the azure-colored jade bottle in hand, he pulled out the bottle stopper.
"Phew!" A white visible mist emanated from inside the bottle, causing the temperature of the entire room to drastically decrease. There was even frost that formed inside the room.
"Frostmuster Spirit Liquid." Qin Yun smiled. "What a great treasure. As expected of South Hill's Wen family. They truly have access to the entire world!"
He had thought of searching for it in the past but to no avail.
It was because Frostmuster Spirit Liquid could only be found in the deep depths of the north sea. To seek it intentionally was worse than searching for a needle in a haystack. Typically, cultivator experts would chance upon it on the north sea's seabed and keep it. Only top-grade cultivation sects would have some in their stores. Furthermore, the treasures in sects could not be purchased by disciples using money. There were many limitations to the allocation of resources.
The county governor had sought the help of a disciple from a sacred land. Furthermore, he was at the Connate realm. Now, six and a half pounds had been gathered.
"Out."
Qin Yun stretched out his right hand as a metallic hair strand flew out from the tip of his index finger. Following that, it rapidly expanded into a three-inch-long, bright silver sword that floated in front of Qin Yun.
"Go." With a thought, the power of his Quintessential Essence was released as it directly lifted up a portion of the flowing dark azure liquid. The liquid suffused sparkles while a frost wave emanated. Even the surrounding furniture had frost forming on them.
With the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid being lifted up, it was instantly used to envelop the Intrinsic Flying Sword.
Qin Yun immediately began using his Dharmic methods. The three-inch-long Intrinsic Flying Sword had a radiance flowing over its surface as if it were crazily absorbing the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid. With an audible hum, the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid was absorbed at a discernible rate. In just a few seconds, all of the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid had been consumed by the Intrinsic Flying Sword.
"This Intrinsic Flying Sword of mine has been starving for too long." Qin Yun smiled.
In the past, his Intrinsic Flying Sword had been absorbing materials that inclined to the elements of 'metal' and 'wood'. As for a rare treasure like the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid that was considered 'water'-elemental… A flying sword was a metallic object after all. It was not picky with metal-elemental materials. It was even willing to absorb the essence of scrap metal. However, it demanded a lot more from the rare treasures of the other four elements. For example, few water-elemental treasures were suitable for the Sword Immortal Legacy. Frostmuster Spirit Liquid was one of the easiest to obtain.
"After absorbing the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid, my flying sword will turn even tougher with the powers of the water element infusing into it. Its foundations will turn more robust. Perhaps, the moment it becomes a Dharma treasure, it has a chance of reaching the eighth-grade." Qin Yun thought to himself.
Dharma treasures had a total of nine grades.
They were similar to the rankings of officials. Ninth-grade was the lowest and the first-grade was the highest.
The Intrinsic Flying Sword that sword immortals cultivated in could be slowly accumulated in strength even through the use of massive amounts of scrap metal. When the Intrinsic Flying Sword was finally refined, it would definitely be at least a ninth-grade Dharma treasure!
"Go." Qin Yun began to draw Frostmuster Spirit Liquid from the azure-colored jade bottle, again and again, allowing his Intrinsic Flying Sword to absorb them.
This absorption process stopped at the five and a half pound mark.
"Haha, this Intrinsic Flying Sword of mine has indeed been starving for too long. Ever since it was refined, it has never absorbed water-elemental objects. Now, it has finally drunk its fill. It drank a total of five and a half pounds." Qin Yun smiled as he pushed the stopper back into the azure-colored bottle. "The absorption after this will be too slow. It will probably absorb only an ounce or two a day."
Qin Yun could sense that after his Intrinsic Flying Sword absorbed so much Frostmuster Spirit Liquid, it had indeed reinforced its foundations.
Even if there was no more Frostmuster Spirit Liquid later, the Intrinsic Flying Sword would be refined in three to four months.
"Intrinsic Flying Sword." Qin Yun thought to himself, "I heard that every sword immortal that leaves their Sword Tower in the Shu Prefecture would be given an ordinary ninth-grade flying sword Dharma treasure to protect them. After all, cultivating one's own Intrinsic Flying Sword takes too long. I'm just an itinerant cultivator and all I can use are ordinary weapons. Thankfully, I had gained insights into the Misty Rain Sword Intent. Every strike of mine possesses mighty prowess."
"However, it will be soon. Once I obtain the next batch of Frostmuster Spirit Liquid, my Intrinsic Flying Sword will be refined in half a month."
Qin Yun was filled with anticipation.
To become a sword immortal…
Without one's Intrinsic Flying Sword, how could one be considered a sword immortal?
…
Elsewhere, at County Governor Manor.
"Father, the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid has been delivered." Wen Chong reported.
"Alright."
The county governor was standing while pruning his bonsai.
"Father, we have given benefits to both Second Young Master Qin and Sister Yi Xiao. Only Jia Huairen has not been given any. Furthermore, the Hundred Poisons Blood will only be given to him after they return with the spirit fruit. Will he feel any resentment as a result? Could it even be possible that he will not do his best on the expedition to Green Tooth Mountain?" Wen Chong asked worriedly.
The county governor stopped his pruning and looked as he son. He said with a smile, "Different tactics have to be used for different cultivators. That Jia Huairen can only amount to so much because of that old demon servant of his. He has yet to experience much setback or hardship. Such cultivators would not dare to set one toe out of line as long as they feel the threat of death. Furthermore, there is a carrot in one hand and a stick in another. I have also given him some beauties. Besides, he will obtain the Hundred Poisons Blood after succeeding."
"For Yi Xiao and Qin Yun, they are different."
"Yi Xiao is a descendant of the large Yi family from the Kunlun Prefecture. Its roots lie deeper than our Wen family. She is also a disciple of the Daoist sacred land, Divine Firmament Chapter." The county governor continued, "For her, we naturally have to influence her using the favor she owes us."
"As for Qin Yun? He looks like he comes from a sword immortal lineage. Most importantly, he is someone that has carved his way out of a sea of blood. Threats will only backfire." The county governor said with a smile, "Such a person understands propriety very well. Furthermore, with us giving the Frostmuster Spirit Liquid, we have bound him through karma. He will definitely do his best."
The county governor lowered his head again to continue pruning his bonsai. At the same time, he suddenly said coldly, "Furthermore, it doesn't matter if that Jia Huairen does his best. He is of no use, to begin with. The reason for sending him is mainly for that old demon servant of his. That old servant is still of some use. As for him? The number of demons he has seen his entire life is probably not as many as the demons that Second Young Master Qin has killed!"
Once Wen Chong heard that, he laughed. "Indeed! I have flipped through his dossier. The number of demons he has seen is really not more than the numbers Brother Qin Yun has killed."
"All shall be revealed in three days." The county governor stared at the bonsai in front of him as he began to feel nervous with anticipation for the first time.
After the spirit fruit was brought to him, he could extend his life by another twenty years.
If the expedition failed, he would not live more than a few years.
"Three days." The county governor muttered silently.
Chapter 27: Into the Mountains
In a blink of an eye, it was the day for the quartet to embark on their mission.
Qin Yun had left Qin Manor early at dawn on horseback for County Governor Manor.
"Everyone."
In the main hall, the county governor welcomed Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, and Jia Huairen and his servant.
"The thousand-year-old Ice Jade Fruit is of life-and-death importance to me." The county governor said solemnly. "On this expedition, I request all of you to do your best in retrieving the spirit fruit. If it succeeds, I will be indebted to all of you for life."
"Uncle Wen, since we agreed to it, we will naturally do our best." Yi Xiao said.
"Lord County Governor, you just need to await the news of our success." Qin Yun added.
"We will definitely retrieve this spirit fruit for you." Jia Huairen said confidently as well.
There was a servant holding a tray by the side. On it was five bronze goblets, filled with excellent wine.
The county governor took one.
Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, Jia Huairen, and the old demonic servant each took one goblet of wine.
"At Green Tooth Mountain, all of you are to listen to Yi Xiao's instructions. You are not to take matters into your own hands. Tomorrow, I will rush to the foot of Green Tooth Mountain and wait for everyone there." The county governor raised his goblet. "In short, I'm really counting on all of you."
Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, and company raised their goblets as well.
They imbibed the wine in it.
"Uncle Wen, farewell." After saying that, Yi Xiao left the hall. The four of them mounted their horses and quickly left County Governor Manor.
The county governor watched them leave.
"Father, the thousand-year-old Ice Jade Fruit will definitely be obtained." Wen Chong stood beside his father and assured him softly.
…
"Trot. Trot. Trot."
After Qin Yun and company left Grand Dominance City, they headed north along a path on horseback at tremendous speeds.
If it were said that the city had a high population density, a result of the commoners wanting to reside in a safer city, causing the prices of houses to be extremely high, then it could be said that it was sparsely populated outside the city. Frequently, one would not even see a single person. The occasional village that they came across was a large village that had thousands of people in it! As there were enough commoners gathered, it was able to establish enough strength to defend the village. They were equipped with a large number of crossbows to intimidate the lesser demons.
Furthermore, the on-site inspection office could send reinforcements at any time, allowing humans to survive outside the city.
If the city interior was said to be under the absolute control of the imperial government, then city exterior was where both humans and demons split it equally!
"Ahead is Serene Provincial City." At noon, Qin Yun and company reached Serene Provincial City and did not encounter any danger en route. As demons had much fewer numbers than humans, it was not that easy to encounter a demon.
"About ten kilometers west of Serene Provincial City is Green Tooth Mountain." Yi Xiao said, "Let us rest here in Serene Provincial City for the night before we enter the mountains early tomorrow morning."
"I'll follow whatever Miss Yi says," Jia Huairen said immediately.
He was feeling rather helpless. Days ago, when Yi Xiao was in County Governor Manor, he had gone to visit her, hoping to meet her often. However, she had been in seclusion and did not entertain any guests!
After entering the city, they chose an exquisite inn where they stayed for the night.
******
The early summer was cool but there were many mosquitoes.
Qin Yun was sitting on the rooftop of the inn alone as he drank wine. It was a rare break for him to not cultivate his Intrinsic Flying Sword. He was also suffering from insomnia, so he had obtained a flask of wine from the manager to slowly drink it there.
"Phew." A figure gently landed on the rooftop like a descending fairy.
"Brother Qin, why aren't you sleeping when it's already so late?" Yi Xiao sat beside him and asked with a smile. "Are you thinking about tomorrow's expedition?"
"I'm just enjoying the night view. Hey, isn't there a beautiful scenery, good wine, and Miss Yi here to accompany me? If I were to sleep so early, I would have missed out on such a splendid opportunity," said Qin Yun with a smile.
Yi Xiao covered her mouth as she laughed and said, "Don't drink the wine alone. Let me have a taste of it."
"Here you go." Qin Yun threw it casually at her.
Yi Xiao caught it and immediately tilted her head to down the alcohol. After drinking a large mouthful of it, she choked and coughed twice, as she wiped the alcohol from the corner of her lips.
"You don't drink that often?" Qin Yun asked when he saw this.
"My master is rather strict on such matters inside the sect." Yi Xiao gave a simple explanation. Following that, she said, "By the way, Brother Qin, for our trip to Green Tooth Mountain, that demonic servant of Jia Huairen will be of some use. Although he is very loyal to the Jia family, he is, after all, a demon. If you notice anything amiss, either one of us should directly obliterate him."
"Green Tooth Mountain is filled with demons. If he really schemes against us, we naturally have to obliterate him without mercy." Qin Yun nodded. "The county governor has already said that you will be giving the instructions. I'll do as you instruct."
"That's because Uncle Wen trusts me." Yi Xiao said with a smile, "In terms of experience, you have a much richer experience than me. I will also need your advice so that we can have greater confidence at retrieving the spirit fruit."
"There's really nothing much to be said," answered Qin Yun.
"Brother Qin, please say something. I really do not have much confidence on this matter," Yi Xiao urged him.
Therefore, Qin Yun said, "There's nothing to be worried about. To retrieve the spirit fruit, the critical point is to hide our strength from the beginning. It's best if we can reach where the thousand-year-old Ice Jade Fruit is without exposing ourselves. If we are truly exposed, we can only reveal a portion of our strength, so that the demons would not think of us as too much of a threat. We must not make the demons think that they are unable to defend the spirit fruit or they might end up destroying it."
"Once the spirit fruit ripens, it is natural that we immediately grab it." Qin Yun said, "The grabbing of the fruit has to be done quickly. It has also to be done very covertly because there are definitely demons staying guard around the spirit fruit. If they realize that they can't stop us, they might destroy the fruit."
"Once we obtain the fruit, we have to rush down the mountain and flee for our lives." Qin Yun said, "This is because the moment that happens, we will definitely startle the demons. They will unquestionably be enraged."
Yi Xiao listened as she nodded. "I share the same thoughts."
"The process is simple but to do it requires one to be meticulous and brave. Also, one has to be decisive." Qin Yun said, "If we encounter any exigencies, we just need to improvise on the spot. By the way, do the demons know when the spirit fruit will ripen?"
"The last time the Ice Jade Fruit ripened was a hundred years ago. It needs to ripen ten times before it becomes a thousand-year-old Ice Jade Fruit. Due to the long time intervals, the demons are unable to precisely calculate the moment when it ripens, or which day and hour it is." Yi Xiao said, "Uncle Wen had hired an expert adept at clairvoyance to do a comprehensive divination before confirming that the thousand-year-old Ice Jade Fruit would ripen from nine to eleven in the morning tomorrow."
Qin Yun nodded. "That's good. The chances of success will be higher if the demons are only aware that it will be during this one to two months but not the hour or day."
"If the demons know exactly when the spirit fruit ripens, it will be very difficult for us to steal it." Yi Xiao said with a smile, "As for tomorrow, I will need a lot of your help."
"We will be helping each other." Qin Yun said, "I'm good at melee battles and bad at long-range attacks."
"I'm the exact opposite. I'm poor at melee battles." Yi Xiao smiled slightly. Those who cultivated in Dharma spells would typically keep a distance from the demons since demons were stronger at melee fights! A melee cultivator like Qin Yun that vanquished demons was indeed rare.
…
The second day at dawn.
Qin Yun and company immediately left the inn. The moment Serene Provincial City's city gates opened, they left Serene Provincial City and headed for Green Tooth Mountain.
"Green Tooth Mountain."
Ten kilometers was quickly traversed on horseback.
"Grand Dominance County's tallest mountain." Qin Yun looked up. The mountain looked grand and magnificent. Its peak tore through the clouds and it was an unknown how many demons were hiding in it.
The four of them dismounted their horses and tied them in the neighboring woods.
"Everyone."
Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun, Jia Huairen, as well as the demon servant, Uncle Qian. "I'll be blunt but everything will be done according to the plans we previously discussed. On our entry into the mountain, we must make sure not to alert even a single demon. If anyone were to be overly careless or deliberately startles the demons, don't blame my Five-elemental Divine Lightning for being heartless." With that said, Yi Xiao's eyes flashed with lightning.
Jia Huairen could not help but shirk back in fear. He immediately said, "Don't worry. Don't worry. Miss Yi, we will do whatever you say."
"We will follow whatever Miss Yi says." Uncle Qian added. Even he did not have the confidence to withstand the famous Five-elemental Divine Lightning.
"A top sect's disciple is indeed extraordinary." Qin Yun thought to himself wistfully when he saw that.
"Let's go, into the mountain." Yi Xiao commanded.
The quartet silently scaled the mountain. Even the weakest Jia Huairen had knocked open the gate of immortality, so it was rather easy scaling the mountain.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
24 Power
stone 
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